BEIJING: China has cautioned against turning it into a subject of discussion in bilateral relations and stressed that international cooperation should not come at the expense of another country’s interests. The statement from the Chinese foreign ministry came in response to queries regarding the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
The high-profile meeting, particularly discussions on defense cooperation, has drawn significant attention in China. In a joint statement, Modi and Trump reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-India partnership in ensuring a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They also discussed strengthening the Quad alliance, a strategic grouping that includes the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia.
Reacting to the developments, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that “the Asia-Pacific should remain a model of peace and development, not a battleground for geopolitical rivalry.” He further emphasized that bilateral cooperation between nations should not be aimed at third parties.
“No country should make China an issue in their relationships or attempt to instigate bloc politics and confrontation,” Jiakun said, particularly in reference to Trump’s offer to provide F-35 fighter jets to India.
