New Delhi
1 October 2009
India asked China to ensure that there was no discrimination against visa
applicants of Indian nationality on grounds of domicile or ethnicity.
"It is our considered view and position that there should be no discrimination against
visa applicants of Indian nationality on grounds of domicile or ethnicity. We have
conveyed our well-justified concern to the Chinese government in this regard[,]" Ministry
of External Affairs Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said here Thursday.
Mr Prakash was responding to an India media report about how the Chinese Embassy in
New Delhi issued stamped visas to some Indian nationals hailing from Jammu and
Kashmir on a separate sheet of paper and not on their passports, prompting India to
lodge a protest. The visas were stamped on separate papers and not on passports, a
practice started recently in the case of those hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, which
Beijing claimed was disputed territory. The action with regard to persons domiciled in
Jammu and Kashmir was seen as an attempt by China to question status of Jammu and
Kashmir as part of India.
New Delhi raised the issue Wednesday with the Chinese Embassy.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeted the people and the government of
China on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of
China. On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was formally established.
In a message to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Singh noted that the 60th
anniversary was an important milestone in the life of China and an occasion for
celebrations of China's many achievements in the last 60 years.
"As a friendly neighbour and a developing nation, we in India share your sense of
happiness on this important occasion," a statement released by the Ministry of External
Affairs said quoting Prime Minister Singh.
"Our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity has developed over
the last four years. Our Shared Vision for the 21st Century is also reflected in our wide-
ranging cooperation and coordination on pressing global and international issues. India
is fully committed to further promoting our relations in an all-round manner," the
statement added.
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