Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has told Bejing that all terrorists are the same and they should be dealt with using the same principle – a reference to China’s obstruction of India’s bid to ban Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar at the UN.
Parrikar is in China for a five-day visit. During the visit, the Defence Minister raised India’s concerns about the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India has criticised China for putting a “technical hold” on India’s bid in the UN to ban Pakistan-based Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terror attack.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China’s decision to veto Azhar’s ban.
Other crucial matters like boundary issues and setting up of a military hotline between DGMOs (Director Generals of Military Operations) of the two countries were also discussed.
He underlined that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had raised the issue in a more detailed manner in her interaction with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
India’s UN Permanent Representative, Syed Akbaruddin spoke of “hidden veto” at a meeting at an open debate in UN Security Council on 16 April.
India and China had discussions on a variety of issues related to counterterrorism including Beijing’s blocking of India’s bid to ban Azhar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Thursday.
Doval, who wrapped up the 19th round of the two-day boundary talks, called on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed the outcome of the discussion with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.
Asked whether Masood Azhar issue was brought up, he said: “Yes, obviously when terrorism is discussed”.
Welcoming Doval, Li recalled his meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar two days ago, during which the both sides discussed the progress in bilateral ties.
For its part, China continued to stick to its stand, saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness. On the talks over the boundary, Doval said both sides want peace and tranquility at the borders.
Meanwhile, NSA Ajit Doval announced on Thursday that President Pranab Mukherjee will be visiting China in May. The trip will set-off a series of high-level bilateral visits despite the glaring irritant in the relationship – China’s veto of India’s bid to ban Azhar.
The exact dates of the visit remain unknown but Mukherjee is expected to visit Beijing and the industrial city of Guangzhou. His visit will be followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Chinese city of Hangzhou to attend the G20 summit in September.
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