'Mutually beneficial, win-win in nature': China on trade ties with India

China on Thursday described its economic and trade cooperation with India as "mutually beneficial and win-win in nature" and urged New Delhi to provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies operating in the country.Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing when asked about reports that India's Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) had recommended a detailed investigation into the Indian operations of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi."I am not aware of the specific situation," Guo said, while adding that China hopes India will provide a "fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment" for companies from all countries investing and operating in India."China-India economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win in nature," he said, according to ANI.The SFIO has sought approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for a deeper probe into Xiaomi's India operations. The proposed investigation is expected to examine fund transfers and whether the company secured mandatory investment approvals under Indian laws.Xiaomi has said it has not received any notice or communication from the SFIO and maintains that it fully complies with Indian laws.India's Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami has also called for deeper cooperation between the two countries in areas including trade, the economy, climate action and the digital sector.In an opinion piece published in the Chinese daily Global Times, Doraiswami said a "stable, predictable, and amicable" India-China relationship would benefit not only the two countries' combined population of around 2.8 billion people but also contribute to global peace, stability and prosperity.Guo, meanwhile, declined to elaborate when asked whether Chinese President Xi Jinping would visit India for the BRICS Summit later this week.Xi is set to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit will be his first to India in seven years, as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties following years of tensions over their disputed border.Xi is expected to travel with a large delegation, reportedly more than twice the size of the Chinese contingent that accompanied him during his last visit to India in 2019, according to Reuters.His visit has also drawn attention to the possibility of a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the summit. Relations between the two countries have gradually improved since the tensions triggered by the 2020 Galwan clashes.India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", with a human-centric approach across its core pillars aimed at strengthening institutions and supporting sustainable growth.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.