Sponsored by Macau Foundation and hosted by Macau University of Science and Technology, session five of the “Ambassadorial Lecture Series III” was held in Room N101 in the afternoon of December 5th, 2014.
Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Ambassador of India to China, was invited as the speaker, accompanied by Consul General of India to Hong Kong and Macau SAR Mr.Prashant Agrawal, Vice Consul General of India to Hong Kong and Macau SAR Mr. Bharat Kuthati, and Consul of India to Hong Kong and Macau SAR Mr. Ravi Sinha. President Liu Liang and Associate Vice President Pang Chuan of Macau University of Science and Technology also attended the lecture.
At the beginning of the lecture, Mr. Kantha introduced China as the biggest country adjoining India, the mutual relationship with China has affected India’s domestic economy in many aspects. Despite of the problematic history between the two countries, India and China have become friendly neighbors and cooperative partners for a long time. Mentioning Chairman Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September and India’s scheduled visit to China, the ambassador pointed out that the frequent visits between the two countries shows their friendly and close relation. In addition, as the members of BRICS, the trade and communication between the two countries can be developed in further scale. When it comes to tourism, Mr. Kantha mentioned that the number of Chinese tourists visiting India, including tourists from Macau was increased significantly over the last year thus he was positive about the development of the tourism industry in the two countries. In the Q&A Session, Mr. Kantha explained that since both countries faced the same problem of energy shortage, we could work together to develop a sustainable energy like solar energy. And in the meantime, despite trying to find a new energy source, we should focus more on how to conserve more. Chairman Xi said during his several visits to India, the ambassador looks forward to mutually beneficial cooperation between India and China in population, territory, economy, and culture.
Mr. Ashok K. Kantha used to work at the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with East Asia. He was one of the key figures in making Indian foreign policy. Between 2000 and 2003, he worked as Consul General of India in Hong Kong and Macau. During the period 2003 to 2007, as Director General of the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, he played a significant role in shaping India’s relations with the countries of the region, including China. He was India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2013. He became the new Ambassador of India to China this year. Before coming to Beijing, he was Secretary (Vice Minister) to the Government of India at the Ministry of External Affairs.
