New Delhi , April 3: 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 the 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 S.M. Krishna’s visit to China next week. Although bilateral trade stood at $43 billion in 2009, India’s trade deficit with China rose to $15.8 billion, up from $11.17 billion in 2008.
Notwithstanding the areas of divergence, New Delhi has indicated that it is interested in becoming a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), 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.
Mr 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.
Ramesh Ramachandran