Parrikar warns China: Don't differentiate between terrorists
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he has communicated "clearly" to China that there cannot be any differentiation among terrorists. He added that "all terrorists are the same and they should be dealt with the same principle, including the issue they had obstructed at the UN." During the visit, Parrikar also raised India's concerns about the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Although Sino-Indian relations are centuries old, which is evident from the strong cultural ties between the 2 nations, post-independence relations have remained rather complex. Various irritants have affected the Sino-India relations- repeated border incursions, China's "all-weather" friendship with Pakistan, China's proximity to India's neighbours, etc. Despite this, trade relations have prospered with Sino-Indian trade growing exponentially over the last 15 years.
Parrikar's China visit, which comes just after the visit of US Defence Secretary, Ashton Carter, to India last week, is seen as a rebalancing act by India. Carter's visit was seen as a push by the US to seek greater cooperation with India in US's 'Asia Pivot' policy. Both nations had reiterated their stance on freedom of navigation including in the South China Sea.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is the first Indian defence minister to visit China in 3 years. The then defence minister, AK Antony, had visited China in 2013.
Parrikar visited the Urban Planning Exhibition Centre in Shanghai where he was briefed by Chinese officials on the urban planning achievements in Shanghai. He also addressed members of the Indian community at the Shanghai consulate, touching issues such as India's reliance in defence production, retaining skilled talent, high-end technologies, etc. He will move to Beijing for the next leg of his visit.
Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar, who is on a 5-day visit to China, will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Wanquan. On the cards for Parrikar's visit are border incursions, measures to reduce tensions between border troops and the Masood Azhar issue. Notably, the visit follows the visit of Ashton Carter, the US Secretary of Defence, to India last week.
Parrikar, who is accompanied by senior officials from the navy, army, airforce, and defence ministry, will raise the issue of China's veto on Jaish-e-Mohammad's chief, Masood Azhar. He will also visit the newly created West Theatre Command (WTC) which is equipped to handle the entire 4,057 km long Indian front from Ladakh to Arunachal. He will also call upon Chinese Premier, Le Keqiang.
Parrikar's visit will be immediately followed by Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, who will hold the 19th Boundary Dialogue with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi next week, to carry forward the talks for the resolution of the border dispute.
