New Delhi,
Following the first informal summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhaouhui has underlined “implementation, transmission and action” as the way forward from Wuhan.

At a seminar co-hosted with the Institute for Chinese Studies , Lou exchanged ideas with Indian and Chinese academics, scholars and journalists on “Wuhan Summit: Sino-India Relations and Its Way Forward”.

The envoy underlined that broad domestic and foreign policy principles were shared between the two top leaders in their first-of-its-kind strategic dialogue in “a fruitful, constructive manner”.

The nuts and bolts would now need finalising even as PM Modi and President Xi will find at least three occasions to meet this year. This includes the upcoming SCO summit in Qingdao, BRICS summit in Johannesburg and G20 in Argentina.

“Incremental moves will help in resolving disputes. We are talking of decades of developments. Some problems come from reality and some come from history. Putting aside disputes doesn’t mean neglecting them. Mutual accommodation will help,” said Lou.

While delegates expressed cautious optimism, there was also considerable scepticism about sincerity of the dialogue unless some real movement was visible on key contentious issues between the two sides.

Stressing that disputes cannot be resolved overnight, Lou, however, added that connectivity can build confidence.

Without referring to OBOR (One Belt, One Road) and India’s objections, the envoy said “China is using some new terms and names to replace old existing economic corridors” like the maritime silk route.