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April      Last updated: April  15,  5:00 p.m.

Arabinda Ghose

ALTHOUGH it would sound somewhat incongruous, but a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited India at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party for about a week during the last days of March and the first two days of April. What is again not very well known is that this is the second visit by a CPC delegation to India at the invitation of the BJP, the first being five years ago when the BJP was still in the opposition at the Centre.

The delegation led by Shri Bingguo, called on Shri Kushabhau Thakre, the BJP President at the party headquarters at 11, Ashok Road, New Delhi on March 31 and had very useful discussions with him. Shri Thakre told the delegation that he was confident that a strengthening of contacts between the two parties, which would include a more frequent exchange of delegations, would not only contribute better understanding between the two parties, but also between the two countries.

At this meeting, it was agreed that such contacts should cover not only high-level exchanges, but also at different levels and among various groups. The agenda for these discussions would be open-ended and could cover any issue whether political, economic, bilateral relations, international relations and the like. It was also felt that both countries should do their utmost to understand each other and that differences in view of perspectives should not obstruct the further development of the relationship.

The leader of the Chinese delegation emphasized the five principles that had governed their desire to enhance relations with the BJP. First of all was the basic desire to expand such contacts. Second, it would help relationship at all levels and over a long period. Third, to seek and work towards a common meeting ground putting aside differences and finally to strengthen unity and co-operation and to contribute to India and China becoming good neighbours in the 21st century.

The Chinese delegation also dwelt upon the need for multi-polarity in today's world and expressed the hope that India-Pakistan relations would be