The latest fourteenth round of special representatives talks has reviewed the situation and there has been an understanding about continuing the present confidence building measures along the borders so that no untoward incident takes place. More efforts will be made at the meeting with the Chinese PM to guarantee that peace and tranquility are maintained at the border while negotiations continue for finding out a permanent solution which will be long term. Indian side will point out that Chinese officials should not make statements about the status of Arunachal Pradesh and India is worried that Chinese engineers is helping the POK government in a big way close to the Indian side in building roads and highways and this will be made use by the terrorists to enter Indian side.

India will raise the issue of China-Pakistan relationship in the context of help for nuclear plants but this will take into account China’s right to have bilateral relations with any country including Pakistan. The point India will make is that Pakistan’s main focus is not on development, its policies are aimed at hurting India and the Pakistan is still indulgent to the jehadi elements who are trying to create disturbances in India. India will seek Chinese cooperation in persuading Pakistan to see reason so that it does not allow the jehadi elements to use Pakistani territory for actions against India. The issue of China giving stapled visas to the people of Jammu and Kashmir will also be raised.

A major issue of importance to India is Chinese moves to build dams on Brahmaputra river in the Chinese side. The people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are very agitated as this will lead to the lessening of the water flow to Indian side and it will adversely affect the cultivation and the livelihood of millions of the Indian people. China is still denying that there will be any adverse impact of this on India but this time India is prepared with studies and these will be shown to the Chinese officials. Lot of experts in North East have warned the Government of India not to believe the Chinese statement on this issue. Indian side, it seems is determined this time to thrash out this issue and to find out a solution.

In the area of India-China economic relations, there has been a big momentum due to the participation of the private sector from India in a big way in trade and investment. India-China trade will cross US$60 billion this year and the Indian companies are buying in a big way Chinese power equipment. Very recently Anil Ambani group signed a multibillion dollar deal with the Chinese company for purchasing power equipment for his group’s power projects. India has removed some of the restrictions on the power equipment purchases imposed earlier and now the Chinese companies are getting level playing field. India will also seek the same facilities from China in the area of information technology, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods for the Indian companies in the Chinese market. India also wants massive Chinese participation in the Indian infrastructural programme during the next ten years. Further, India is ready to collaborate with China in bids for the oil fields in overseas countries.

India will seek China’s support for its bid for permanent membership of the Security Council of the United Nations. India will remind Chinese Prime Minister that it was India which was the first non-communist country in 1949 in giving recognition to communist China and always India has been supportive for China’s due role in the international forum. India is however not yet ready to give market economy status to China as on a number of trade issues including currency, there is lack of transparency. However on currency issue, India will abide by the G-20 decision and allow China to calibrate its policy taking into account its impact on its economy.(IPA Service)