Chinese checkers

China may have finally relented on the NSG waiver for India, but its attempt to create hurdles has not gone down well with the Congress. The ruling party had expected full cooperation from the Communist Party of China, on whose invitation Congress president Sonia Gandhi had attended the inaugural ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing despite several pressing issues back home. During her 30-minute meeting with Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, she had praised the 8220;organising genius8221; of the hosts who, in turn, had praised the Government of India for taking 8220;effective measures8221; to ensure that the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay was successful. The two parties had also signed an MoU. Commenting on Sonia8217;s Beijing visit, an article in party mouthpiece Sandesh said: 8220;Close political linkages are expected to play a role in influencing the Chinese mind about India8217;s nuclear case when the matter comes up shortly before the NSG where Beijing is an influential member.8221; But China8217;s stance in Vienna came as a dampener to the Congress. 8220;China fell in line because of US pressure, after the US President called up his Chinese counterpart,8221; said a senior Congress leader.