A Wen-wen situation in India’s Silicon Valley

A couple of dozen chanting, flag-waving Chinese engineers from Huawei (India) Ltd, the only Chinese IT company in the city, and a state dele...

A couple of dozen chanting, flag-waving Chinese engineers from Huawei (India) Ltd, the only Chinese IT company in the city, and a state delegation led by Karnataka CM Dharam Singh welcomed Premier Wen Jiabao who reached here today on the last leg of his four-nation South Asia tour.

Soon after his arrival, the Chinese Premier issued a statement in which he indicated that his country attached ‘‘great importance’’ to settling the border issue with India and bringing Sino-Indian relations to ‘‘a new high’’, besides cooperating in areas of mutual interest. Wen said that his government was keen to settle ‘‘questions left over from history’’, ‘‘with a view to bring China and India ties to a new high’’. The Chinese government attached ‘‘great importance to developing good relations and cooperation with India,’’ said Wen.

‘‘(China) stands ready to work with India to view and handle our bilateral from a strategic perspective, bearing in mind the larger picture and to expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas,’’ Wen’s statement said.

Story continues below this ad

Premier Wen has three major engagements in the city tomorrow. He will call on the local TCS facility, which has a development centre in China at Hangzhou, employing some 200 people.

Wen will also visit the ISRO facility, where ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair will make a presentation for the Chinese delegation.

He will also spend about an hour at the headquarters of Huawei (India) Ltd. Wen’s third call will be the IISc, where he will hold an hour-long meeting with top scientists.

Meanwhile in Delhi, the stage is being prepared for Wen’s official dialogue with the Indian leadership on Monday, with Chinese Vice Minister Wu Dawei holding talks with Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on the agenda and agreements to be signed.

Story continues below this ad

They touched upon the crucial boundary question ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between special representatives Dai Bingguo and M K Narayanan, who are expected to finalise the guiding principles for a settlement.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India30 min ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog