The Chinese Premier has suggested that the officials from India and China can have indepth consultations to resolve satisfactorily the issue of stapled visa for residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Briefing media on the talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao in New Delhi on Thursday, the Foreign Secretary Mrs. Nirupama Rao said that the issue was brought by Wen Jiabao himself saying that Beijing takes India's concerns seriously. Mrs. Rao said that India's concerns with regard to terrorism eminating from Pakistan were articulated at the meeting. It was pointed out that the need is very much there for China to look at real concerns of India on the issue. She said that India can move forward in its relations with Pakistan when terrorist groups and their leaders stop pursuing their anti-India agenda. She said that it is only when terrorism is addressed properly and forces of terrorism are defeated can we have a stable region and that affects China also. She said that Wen Jiabao himself had referred to the terrorism they are facing in Xinjiang province. On the construction of dams on Brahmaputra, the Foreign Secretary said that China has maintained that the run of river dams being built by China are not designed to affect the interests of those living in lower regions in India. On the issue of resuming defence exchanges, Mrs. Rao said that the endeavour is to create a basis for such exchanges without any constraint. The high level defence exchanges with China were suspended after the Northern Commander Lt. General B. S. Jaswal was offered stapled visa because he was from Jammu and Kashmir which was, however, refused. The issue of trade imbalance was also discussed candidly and constructively and China assured India that they will work to address the trade problems. She said the trade figures in the coming months will hopefully speak for themselves. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has accepted the invitation of Wen Jiabao to visit his country next year.
News On AIR | December 16, 2010 6:53 PM
Hot Line between PMs of India-China operationalised