New Delhi, Nov 4 – Taking note of China’s so-called ’string of pearls’ strategy of expanding influence in its neighbourhood, India Wednesday said such developments should not ‘deter or dilute’ India’s efforts to seek closer ties with its South Asian neighbours.

‘China’s relations with our South Asian neighbours are also growing in many areas with increased trade and economic activity, political level interaction, and cultural and educational exchanges, apart from transportation links and connectivity,’ Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said at a conference on South Asia here.

Rao, however, underlined that these developments will not affect India’s ties with its South Asian neighbours, which are dictated by geography, shared cultural traditions, the need for security and mutual economic advantage.

‘But the compelling logic and rationale for closer ties between our South Asian neighbours and India must not be deterred or diluted by such developments,’ Rao said.

In recent years, China has sought to increase its influence among India’s South Asian neighbours like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar besides its all-weather ally Pakistan in what strategists describe as part of a ’string of pearls’ strategy to encircle India’s periphery. China is also an observer at the eight-nation South Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Rejecting rivalry or confrontation, Rao said: ‘The rapid growth of both India and China is a phenomenon that in many ways is a source of energy and dynamism in the regional and global context.’

Describing the relationship with China as complex, Rao stressed that New Delhi’s dialogue with Beijing is set to acquire ‘further substance and relevance in the years to come.’

‘I see our dialogue with China acquiring further substance and relevance in the years to come, with even more effort and political will being invested in seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the outstanding boundary question between the two countries,’ she said.

Rao’s remarks come at a time when the India-China ties are under stress over a host of issues, including reported Chinese incursions, Beijing’s opposition to the visit of Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh and its activities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Rao, however, denied ‘any strain’ in bilateral ties with China on account of the visit of the Tibetan leader to Arunachal Pradesh, India’s northeastern state over which China claims sovereignty. India has made it clear that the Dalai Lama can go anywhere in the country provided he does not indulge in political activities.

Outlining India’s vision of ‘a peaceful and stable neighbourhood,’ Rao made an impassioned plea for better connectivity and more cooperation among South Asian countries on an entire spectrum of issues ranging from trade and development to terrorism and climate change.

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