Talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh failed to yield any breakthrough today on India's key concerns - stapled visa to people of Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism emanating from Pakistan and in getting support for its bid for a UNSC permanent seat. Wen,who is on a fence-mending mission after one year of unease in bilateral ties,held talks with Singh for over one hour during which bilateral,regional and global issues were discussed. Though the issue of stapled visa did not figure in the joint communique,Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters after the talks that the Chinese Premier himself raised the issue and suggested that officials from both the countries should have in-depth consultations to resolve the issue. "Wen said China takes this issue very seriously and takes our concern on this issue very seriously," Rao said but noted that "The ball is in their court. There is no doubt about that." China had also denied visa to Lt General B S Jaswal,who is in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir prompting India to suspend all defence exchanges with that country. The joint statement also did not make a reference to 26/11 and India's demand for expediting punishment to all those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks. However,it talked about the need to implement all relevant UN resolutions,in particular UNSC resolution 1267,1373,1540 and 1624 dealing with among others curbing financing of terrorism and banning of terror groups. Rao said India conveyed its concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The need is very much there for China to also look at the real concerns India has with regard to terrorism emanating from Pakistan,she said,adding that the terrorism in the region also affects China. China also conveyed its understanding of the situation in Pakistan,Rao said,but refused to elaborate. The joint statement said the two sides also welcomed the opening of the telephone hotline between Singh and Wen and agreed on regular consultations between the two leaders on issues of importance to both the countries. The two leaders also agreed to establish the mechanism of annual exchange of visits between the two Foreign Ministers,it said. On economic front,Rao said while both countries have set a target of USD 100 billion by 2015,India has raised its concern over the growing trade imbalance and has sought greater access for its goods,including pharmaceuticals in Chinese market. "The two sides agreed to take measures to promote greater Indian exports to China with a view to reduce India's trade deficit," the statement said. Beijing gave no concrete endorsement on India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and merely confined itself to vague formulation that it supports India's aspirations to play a greater role in the global body. On outstanding bilateral issues,the two sides reiterated their firm commitment to resolve differences including the boundary question at an early date through peaceful negotiations. "They reiterated that resolution of the boundary question is one of the ten-pronged strategies agreed by leaders of the two countries. Pending the resolution of the boundary question,the two sides shall work together to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas in line with the previous agreements," the joint statement said. After the Singh-Wen talks,the two sides also inked six pacts,including cooperation in the field of green technology,one on exchange of hydrological data of common rivers and media and cultural exchanges. Two pacts were signed in the banking sector. The joint statement while referring to India's bid for a permanent seat in UNSC said,"China attaches great importance to India's status in international affairs as a large developing country,understands and supports India's aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations,including in the Security Council." China welcomed India's election as non-permanent member of UNSC during 2011-2012 and both countries agreed to deepen consultation within the Council. Asked whether India raised sternly with China its stance that New Delhi was as sensitive to J-K as Beijing was to Tibet,Rao said the Chinese are well aware of our concerns and our positions. In fact,they appreciated the fact that India doesn't allow any anti-China activities,she said. To another question on India-China relations,Rao said: "It is not made of porcelain China". She said every visit adds "substance" to the multi-dimensional relationship between India and China. On Wen's visit to Pakistan and China-Pak nuclear deal,she downplayed them and said there was a mechanism to address the nuclear weapons issue. The Foreign Secretary said Indo-Pak ties can move in a substantive manner,once New Delhi's legitimate concerns over the terror actives and anti-India agenda of leaders of these terror groups in Pakistan were addressed. Underlining their unequivocal opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,the two countries stressed that there is no justification for any act of terrorism anywhere. "They committed themselves to countering terrorism through joint efforts that include disrupting the financing of terrorism," the statement said. India and China also agreed to expand cooperation in infrastructure,environmental protection,information technology,telecommunications,investment and finance on a priority basis to draw on each other's strengths and pursue mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides also noted the good cooperation between China and India in the field of trans-border rivers with the Indian side appreciating the assistance provided by the Chinese side on the flood-season hydrological data and emergency management. Recognizing common interests and similar concerns on major regional and international issues,the two sides decided to enhance their coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums. When pointed out that the issue of Tibet,as mentioned in 2005 joint statement,was missing from today's communique and whether it signifies something,Rao said there was nothing to read between the lines. China is well aware of India's position on the issue,she said. The joint statement in 2005 said "The Indian side reiterated that it recognised the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and that it did not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India. "The Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries to recognise that there is one China and its one China policy remains unaltered. The Indian side stated it would continue to abide by its one China policy. "The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the Indian positions." While Tibet was missing from current communique,it talked about two sides reaffirming their commitment to abiding by the basic principles and consensus concerning the development of India-China relations as set out in past joint documents. India and China also expressed their commitment to assist Afghanistan in becoming a peaceful,stable,prosperous nation,the statement said,adding the two sides emphasised the importance of a coherent and united international commitment to Afghan-led initiatives. Ahead of their delegation-level talks,Singh said since 2005,the two countries have maintained an intensive high-level dialogue. "Apart from my own bilateral visit to China in 2008,I have met Your Excellency and His Excellency President Hu Jintao close to 20 times in the last five years. This shows the intensity of our interactions," Singh said. To which Wen,in his remarks said the strategic partnership between the two countries was partnership of 2.5 billion people taken together.
