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Journalism of Courage
India and China on Wednesday signed an agreement to establish a hotline between Prime Ministers of the two countries,as External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi resolved to take the bilateral relationship to new heights.
The agreement,under which dedicated phone lines will be set up in the Prime Ministers office of the two countries,was signed by Krishna and Yang after their talks here. This would enable Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao to hold direct conversations whenever they want. This is the first time in recent years that India has established a dedicated hotline facility with any country.
During the over an hour-long meeting,the two countries also decided to strengthen their cooperation in regional forums and on addressing issues like global financial crisis and climate change.
After the meeting,Krishna said the establishment of hotline facility showed how close India and China were with each other. This has been one of the highlights of my visit and it is fitting that the two countries were able to do it during the celebrations of 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations, he told reporters.
The decision to establish the hotline was reached during a meeting between Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June last year.
Asked whether the issue of stapled visas were taken up during the meeting with Yang,Krishna said: All issues concerning bilateral ties were discussed. He is understood to have conveyed Indias concerns over Kashmiris being issued stapled visas by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. The issue of 21 Indians being held in China on charges of diamond smuggling is also understood to have been raised.
Earlier,Krishna met the families of 21 Indians,who have been charged with diamond smuggling in China,and assured them that he will raise the issue during his meetings with the top Chinese leadership. While 20 Indians have been charged with diamond smuggling,one has been charged with money laundering.
However,Yang refused to go into the details of his talks with Krishna when asked whether the issue of stapled visas were discussed. I am not going into the details, he said adding that both the countries should focus on common interests. I am sure that this relationship will go forward.
Yang said China is also looking forward to the visit of President Pratibha Patil,which is likely to take place later this year. We are very much looking forward to make major contribution to make the BRIC summit to be held in Brazil later this month successful. He said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet on the sidelines of the summit and work together to contribute to its success.
Asked about China issuing visas to residents from Jammu and Kashmir on a separate piece of paper,Yang refused to go into the details of his talks with Krishna. I am not going into the details, he said adding that both the countries should focus on common interests. I am sure that this relationship will go forward.
