New Delhi
3 April 2010
India has come out with its own wishlist of what China should be doing, if the
next 60 years of their diplomatic ties are to be qualitatively different from the first 60.
A detailed framework for resolving the border dispute in a manner that is politically
feasible for both leaderships, sensitivity to India's concerns over Kashmir and Pakistan,
a stop to the practice of issuing stapled visas for Indians living in Jammu and Kashmir,
cessation of illegal construction activities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, greater market
access to Indian commodities, and easing of barriers to correct the imbalance in trade,
top the list.
The Indian response comes two days after Chinese ambassador to India Zhang Yan
spoke of six commandments for India to adhere to, which included enhanced mutual trust
and proper address of each other's concerns.
New Delhi has suggested that the political framework for resolution of the boundary
question in a manner that is politically feasible for both countries, should flow from the
template of the 2005 agreement on the political parameters and guiding principles.
A relatively new irritant, in comparison to the decades-old border issue, is the visas
issued on loose sheets of paper and stapled into passports of Indians living in Jammu
and Kashmir.
"We have asked the Chinese side to do away with dual visa policy," Gautam
Bambawale, joint secretary in charge of East Asia in the external affairs ministry, told
reporters here.
"This is a matter of core concern for India because it goes to the heart of our national
sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Bambawale said, adding that China should have
a uniform visa policy regardless of ethnicity or domicile.
New Delhi reiterated that Kashmir is an integral part of India, and China should not
interfere in India's internal affairs just as India does not in China's domestic situation.
Trade is another issue that is expected to figure in External Affairs Minister SM
Krishna's visit to China next week. Although bilateral trade stood at 43 billion dollars in
2009, India's trade deficit with China rose to 15.8 billion dollars, up from 11.17 billion
dollars in 2008.
Notwithstanding the areas of divergence, New Delhi has indicated that it is interested in
becoming a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO, which is a
regional grouping of Russia, China and the five Central Asian republics.
New Delhi has been diffident about raising its profile in the SCO, but it is since veering
round to the view that engaging the SCO members and its observers such as Iran,
makes a lot of sense in the changed context in the region, particularly Afghanistan, and
for energy security.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna is expected to represent India at the next SCO
meeting, to be held in Uzbekistan in June.
Sources maintain that the equilibrium in Sino-Indian relations has not been disturbed
fundamentally in spite of the recent strain in ties, and that both sides recognise the
merits of nourishing and enriching the relationship.
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