Li's visit: India won’t affirm One-China in joint statement

The customary joint-statement that will be issued tomorrow after the talks between the PM and the visiting Chinese premier will have one important feature missing - an affirmation by India of One-China principle, which recognises Tibet and Taiwan as Chinese regions. Jayanth Jacob reports. Li's visit: Full coverage | Li arrives in India

The customary joint-statement that will be issued on Monday after the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Chinese premier Li Keqiang will have one important feature missing this time -- an affirmation by India of One-China principle, which recognises Tibet and Taiwan as Chinese regions.

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Soon after his arrival, Li held talks with Singh followed by a dinner. Barring any last minute change in the script, no major forward movement is expected on the border row or the issue of a joint mechanism on Brahmaputra river water sharing arrangement.

At least five pacts will be signed during the talks and both sides will also impart fresh momentum to fostering their trade and business ties and cooperation in international affairs, including Afghanistan. But Indian efforts to get a stronger position on terrorism in the region didn’t work because of Beijing’s close ties with Pakistan, sources said.

Therefore, in a move that reflect India’s concerns over Chinese infrastructure building activities in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir and the issues of sovereignty, the joint statement will not mention the One-China policy.

India has skipped the mention of the policy in 2010 too during the visit of then premier Wen Jiabao to New Delhi.