India unlikely to change stance on B&R Initiative

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India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will host Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the 15th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) in Indian capital New Delhi on Monday.

Besides for the smog engulfing the talks, this meeting is also the first high-level meeting since the Dong Lang (Doklam) border standoff between China and India.

CGTN has learnt that the foreign ministers would issue a joint communique with a strong emphasis on fighting terrorism after the talks, which will last for an hour and a half.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (C) and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attend the 14th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India, in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

On the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, India's stance is likely to remain the same, which is that even though it is in favor of connectivity, sovereignty remains supreme. India is concerned about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through land controlled by Pakistan but also claimed by India.

Wang's visit to India will also include a bilateral meeting with Swaraj. CGTN has learnt that the approach to the talks from the Indian side will be forward-looking without brushing concerns under the carpet. For India, China remains an important neighbor and the aim would be to build up on areas of convergence and commonality.

The talks between Chinese and Indian foreign ministers will take place after Wang's meeting with Lavrov.

Photo taken on March 22, 2017 shows the Gwadar port area in Gwadar, Pakistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative. /Xinhua Photo

Wang will also meet Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who became the country's 14th president on July 25, 2017. This will be followed by the RIC meeting, which will feature talks on freedom of navigation and the fight against terrorism, among other issues.

China's foreign minister will end his visit to India after attending the India-China Cultural Evening on the same day.

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