Author: PTI
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: September 4, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/280618/Indian-envoy-to-China-expresses-PoK-concerns.html
India today conveyed its concerns to China
over its presence in Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and its activities in that
region.
The Indian move came in the wake of reports
of presence of about 11,000 Chinese troops in Jammu and Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan
region held by Pakistan.
The Indian concerns over Chinese "activity
and presence" were conveyed by Ambassador to China S Jaishankar during
a meeting with their Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Zhang Zhijun in Beijing
today, according to officials at the Indian Embassy.
Jaishankar also conveyed India's concerns
over the presence of Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) troops in the region.
However, China had yesterday rejected reports that its troops were in Gilgit
region in northern Kashmir.
Jaishankar returned to Beijing yesterday from
Delhi where he had briefed the the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on
the developments regarding China. The CCS chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh had discussed the matter on Tuesday.
Following the US news reports of PLA presence
in PoK, India had said it would independently verify the matter which it dubbed
as "serious, if true".
"If true, it would be a matter of serious
concern and we would do all that is necessary to ensure safety and security
of the nation," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash had
said on Monday when asked to comment on reports in 'The New York Times. About
the influx of an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 PLA soldiers in Gilgit-Baltistan
region.
In his meeting with the Chinese Vice Minister,Jaishankar
reportedly also discussed the situation arising out of the denial of visa
to Lt Gen B S Jaswal, Chief of Indian Army's North Command, by China apparently
on the ground that he headed troops in Jammu and Kashmir, which Beijing considers
a disputed territory.
He also discussed a host of other issues concerning
Sino-Indian ties.
During the meeting Jaishankar referred to
recent media reports, and the reference was apparently related to the New
York Times recently that about 7,000 to 11,000 Chinese troops were present
in Gilgit-Baltistan area of the PoK.
India while expressing its concern has said
it is verifying the reports.
The Chinese side in response explained to
the Indian envoy that the Chinese were present in the Gilgit area to help
provide assistance to the people affected by recent floods, officials said.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed
a number of issues to improve the bilateral relationship, they said.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang
Yu yesterday denied the report saying that it is a fabricated story aimed
at destroying China's relations with Pakistan and India.
Prior to that, the Pakistan Ambassador to
China, Masood Khan too denied the report saying that only a Chinese humanitarian
assistance team was present in the area to assist the victims of the recent
floods.
India has already put on hold defence exchanges
with China. But Beijing said it has not yet received any official communication
from India and its defence ties with New Delhi are intact.
Indian officials consider that China's policy
of issuing stapled visas to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir since last
year, culminating into denial of visa to the Gen Jaswal, is turning out to
be a big stumbling block for both countries to step up their relations.
"About our visa policy toward inhabitants
in the Indian controlled Kashmir region, the policy is consistent and stayed
unchanged," Jiang said in her press briefing yesterday.
