INDIA RAISES PoK ISSUES WITH CHINA
China was not keen on the clarification of the (LAC) proposed by Mr Modi last year during Xi’s visit to India.
New Delhi, May 12: India has raised with China its concerns over huge Chinese investments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after President Xi Jinping’s trip to Pakistan last month, it was disclosed on Tuesday on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China.
“The matter was raised with the Chinese ambassador here. It was taken up by our Indian envoy in Beijing,” foreign secretary S. Jaishankar said when asked about China cooperating with Pakistan in developing infrastructure projects in PoK.
During his visit to Pakistan, Xi had pledged assistance of $46 billion to build a strategic economic corridor through the PoK. Mr Jaishankar briefed the media about Mr Modi’s six-day visit to China.
New Delhi, May 12: Briefing the reporters on Mr Modi’s six-day visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said a slew of agreements will be signed with all three countries to bolster cooperation in key areas.
Asked if any breakthrough was expected on the contentious boundary issue with China during Mr Modi’s meetings with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang, the foreign secretary did not give a direct answer, saying that 18 rounds have been held between the special representatives and the two sides were yet to “reach a stage where there is finality”.
However, he noted that progress on all bilateral issues and challenges will be discussed during Mr Modi’s talks with the Chinese leadership.
Mr Modi will first fly to Xian, the home province of President Xi for a summit meeting with the Chinese leader during which they are expected to discuss ways to take forward the strategic partnership between the two countries.
From Xian, he will travel to Beijing for extensive talks with Mr Keqiang when the two sides will sign a number of agreements to bolster cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure including railways, tourism and greater people-to-people contracts.
“A full range of political issues” will be covered during the talks, Jaishankar said.
China is not keen on the clarification of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) proposed by Mr Modi last year during Xi’s visit to India. The clarification of LAC ahead of the resolution of the boundary was expected to restrict aggressive patrolling from both sides.
Mr Jaishankar said India and China were also discussing cooperation in developing high speed trains and station development.
To a question, he said it is “conceivable” that the issue of India seeking China’s support for its entry into four export control regimes comes up during Mr Modi’s talks with the Chinese leadership. Besides talks with Premier Li, Mr Modi is set to meet top Chinese CEOs including Alibaba founder Jack Ma and address India-China Business Forum in Shanghai on May 16, the last day of his three-day visit to China.