China is again posing its hard stand on Arunachal Pradesh it seems. According to a report, the new Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had told Pranab Mukherjee in Hamburg last week the simple presence population in the region may not affect Chinese claims on the boundary.
The statement made by Chinese foreign minister had surprised the government of India. Two years back, both the countries had signed an agreement and according to the article 7 of the agreement says that in reaching a boundary settlement, the two sides shall safeguard due interests of their settled populations in the border areas.
Manmohan Singh, during his visit to G8 summit has planned to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao but experts say that PM may not raise the issue with Chinese president during the talks. Arunachal CM Dorji Khandu has also asked PM to move up the visa denial issue to an IAS officer.
China is taking delicate but firm steps to make the issue of Arunachal Pradesh again the center of the discussion in bilateral relations. Earlier, the Chinese government had denied India’s request to call a meeting of the Special Representatives to discuss border issue just before Hu’s visit to India.
Then, Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi’s remark came that Arunachal is a part of China. Next was the refusal of visa to bureaucrat from Arunachal Pradesh and now, the statement made by the Chinese foreign minister on Arunachal status came in media. These are the clear indication that China is taking tough stand on Arunachal.
The experts said that India’s growing global importance and improving relations with the Western countries are the factors that is pushing China to engage India in this matter of boundary dispute again.
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