India, China must put behind 'abnormality' in bilateral ties: PM Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India must urgently address its protracted border dispute with China so that both sides can put behind any "abnormality" in bilateral ties.

In an extensive interview with US magazine Newsweek, PM Modi said that India's relationship with China is "important and significant".

"It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," PM Modi told Newsweek.

He said that "stable and peaceful relations" are not just important for India and China but for the entire region and world.

"I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility in our borders," he said.

Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a nearly four-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh. India has maintained that its bilateral ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.

Ties between the countries plunged after the Galwan valley clash in May 2020 in which 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops were killed.

PM Modi also spoke about India weaning away competition from China, saying that his country is a natural choice for those looking to diversify their supply chains.

He listed several transformative reforms undertaken by his government, such as GST, corporate tax reduction, bankruptcy code, reforms in labor laws and relaxation in FDI norms.

He added that India, which has one-sixth of the world's population, has adopted global standards to make a positive impact on the world.

"Given our strengths, India is now globally considered most suited for manufacturing world-class goods at competitive cost," PM Modi said.