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India rejects China’s maritime invite
India boycotted a multi-nation maritime meet hosted by China last month — the latest fallout of Beijing denying visa to an Indian general in July this year. Rahul Singh reports.
India boycotted a multi-nation maritime meet hosted by China last month — the latest fallout of Beijing denying visa to an Indian general in July this year.
In an assertive move, Indian Coast Guard chief vice-admiral Anil Chopra turned down China's invitation to attend the annual Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting held in Shanghai in the third week of October.
South Block sources said it made no sense sending Chopra for the summit in view of China's provocative stance on Kashmir and denial of visa to the general. Military contact between both nations has been stuck in a logjam since July when Beijing refused to host northern army commander Lt. Gen BS Jaswal, as his jurisdiction spanned Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaswal was to head a military delegation to China for an annual defence dialogue, hosted alternatively by the two countries to review progress in defence exchanges.
The dialogue forms part of an MoU signed by the two countries in May 2006 to enhance military engagement through a broad spectrum of initiatives.
