New Delhi/Hyderabad, Aug. 27: The defence minister, Mr A.K. Antony said that “short-term problems would not affect India’s overall approach towards China” when he was asked about the tension between the two neighbours.
China had refused permission for Lt. Gen. Jaswal to visit on the grounds that Jammu and Kashmir was a “sensitive” area and sought changes to the composition of the delegation.
The Army’s Northern Command, which Lt. Gen. Jaswal heads, is responsible for the security of Jammu and Kashmir in the event of any aggression.
Sources said the visit of the Indian delegation — as part of the annual defence dialogue — was then cancelled.
Incidentally, Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal had visited China in 2008, when he was heading 4 Corps at Tezpur, Assam.
China’s decision to refuse to allow Lt. Gen. Jaswal to visit may also cast a shadow over the next round of Sino-Indian military exercises to be held in China sometime in 2011.
Sources, however, said there would be no cancellation of
defence exchanges or any break in defence ties but added that the exchanges had been put on hold following this development.
Mr Antony said, “It is not the question of breaking ties. We have close ties with China though there could be some problems occasionally.”
He added that “short-term problems would not affect India’s overall approach towards China”.