NEW DELHI: India and China on Friday held an NSA (National Security Advisor) - level meeting in Hyderabad essentially to resolve irritants that have strained their bilateral ties in recent times. The major bone of contention between the two countries have been India’s NSG bid and banning of Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Maulana Masood Azhar.
The talks that were held at the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad are not the Special Representative (SR) level talks that the two countries have instituted to resolve the boundary issues. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not given an official statement on the issues discussed between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and State Counselor of China Yang Jiechi, who are also the designated Special Representatives of their respective countries.
MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup prior to the talks had clarified that it was SR talks and said that various issues of “bilateral, regional and global interest” will be discussed. Off late the strain the India-Pakistan ties have cast shadow on New Delhi-Beijing relations. Former Chinese Diplomat has also raised question about the growing proximity between India and China.
Beijing has scuttled India’s bid to gain a seat in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and to get the proscribed JEM’s chief on the ban list. The DG Armaments of the two neighbours has already met twice to discuss India’s NSG membership. New Delhi termed the talks as “constructive” but Beijing has not expressed any change in its position on the issue. India has been reading China’s veto on banning of Masood Azhar done at the behest of Pakistan, where he is hiding.
Beijing is also riled up owing to India’s objection to its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that will be linking it up to the Gwadar Port. US Ambassador Richard Verma’s visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh has also agitated China that has been staking claim on the town.