Culture, trade bringing two nations closer

India is pleased to be a new member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and will participate enthusiastically in all SCO meetings, said a senior Indian diplomat.

"We are delighted with this development. Since becoming a member, India has participated in almost all the activities and meetings of the SCO," Gautam Bambawale, Indian ambassador to China, told China Daily.

The focus of SCO members is on security cooperation, counterterrorism and economic development as well as cultural exchanges, and India will work with other member countries in this direction, the ambassador said.

Noting that the international situation is changing very rapidly, Bambawale said the SCO has many opportunities to reiterate the values that it stands for, including multilateralism, the positive effects of globalization, adhering to global rules, working together to uphold existing institutions and contributing positively to intercultural harmony.

Bambawale spoke highly of the informal April meeting between President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Wuhan, Hubei province. The informal meeting enabled the two leaders to reach consensus on many issues including the important roles played by India and China on the global stage and the manner in which bilateral relations can be developed over the coming months and years, he said.

Two-way trade totaled $84.4 billion last year and China remains one of the largest trading partners of India. "The potential for increased trade between the two countries is huge and we have not yet reached the full potential of our commercial ties," he said.

Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi became the largest supplier of mobile handsets in the Indian market. Other Chinese companies like Huawei are also expanding their business in India.

Also, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are important in enhancing mutual trust between the two countries, the ambassador said.

"We are very happy to see that Indian Bollywood films have become very popular in China," Bambawale said. "Movies will help increase understanding between our people and thereby build more mutual trust."