Rahul Gandhi’s maiden visit to China to be memorable

The visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China in December 1988 was a landmark event in India-China relations, Chinese sources said.

It marked the resumption of political dialogue at the highest level after an interregnum of 28 years. During the visit, both sides agreed to develop and expand bilateral relations in every field.

It was also agreed to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on the boundary question to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution. Besides, the two sides also set up a Joint Economic Group (JEG) on economic and commercial issues and paved the way for increased bilateral exchanges in science and technology, outer space, mining, audit, defence, personnel and culture.

Relations have improved steadily after 1988.

High-level exchanges provided the necessary impetus to the growth of long-term good neighbourly relations, the sources said.

Now, Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress Party and chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), arrived on Thursday at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was re-elected on Monday as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

The visit will provide an opportunity to Rahul to personally witness great leap forward China has made after its reform and opening up 29 years ago. It will also give the Chinese leadership to size-up the young Indian leader, touted as the next generation leader of the Congress Party.

The China trip is also expected to give Rahul, who is now being groomed to assume higher responsibilities, an international profile. He had earlier accompanied Gandhi during her visit to the US after he was appointed the party general secretary.

Senior party leader Karan Singh, AICC general secretary Prithviraj Chavan and minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma are also in the high-level delegation accompanying the Congress President.

During her visit, Sonia is expected to dwell on the overall India-China relations with the Chinese leadership and not focus on specific and particularly ticklish issues like the border disputes.

“She is likely to discuss economic and cultural ties as also the need for closer contacts between the ruling parties of the two countries,” the sources said.