Sitharaman s Namastey sends warm signal: Chinese daily

Beijing Oct 10 (IANS) China welcomes Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman s greeting to Chinese soldiers on the border as a "friendly gesture" a Chinese daily has said.

"China welcomes Sitharaman s greeting and hopes this friendly gesture is also welcomed by Indians " the state-run Global Times said in an editorial. "Sitharaman s charm offensive might help break the ice between Chinese and Indian public opinion."

Sitharaman visited Nathu La Pass on the Sino-Indian border and greeted Chinese soldiers on the other side.

"Sitharaman held friendly exchanges with Chinese soldiers... An Indian soldier standing beside (her) is seen holding a gift in the video released by the Indian Defence Ministry probably the most warm-hearted scene at the Sino-Indian border area since the Doklam standoff " it said.

Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a dragging face-off at Doklam claimed by both China and Bhutan from June to August seriously straining relations between Beijing and New Delhi.

"Sitharaman s greeting to the Chinese soldiers conveys her hope for peace on the Sino-Indian border and unwillingness to see a new standoff. This is commonly regarded as the attitude of the Narendra Modi government " the daily said.

The daily said that friendly cooperation with China was the best option for India "strategic exhaustion the worst. Both countries should control the risks".

--IANS
mr/soni