India,China to start maritime dialogue

The launch of the maritime dialogue,a significant move in view of the growing profile of as well as the rivalry between Indian and Chinese navies in the Indian Ocean.

India and China Thursday decided to initiate a maritime dialogue and hold the first meeting of the newly-created working mechanism on border management in Beijing next week,ahead of President Hu Jintaos visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit later this month.

At a meeting between Foreign Minister S M Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi Thursday,the two sides also agreed to set up an Indo-China media forum,with Beijing allowing Zee TV to broadcast in China.

The launch of the maritime dialogue,a significant move in view of the growing profile of as well as the rivalry between Indian and Chinese navies in the Indian Ocean.

It was a suggestion from the Chinese side. Both countries are maritime nations with long coastlines, Gautam Bambawale,joint secretary in-charge of China,said.

Krishna also raised the issue of imbalance in bilateral trade,which has exceeded $60 billion with a huge surplus in Beijings favour,and urged China to allow Indian IT and pharma companies access to the Chinese market.

Siang drying,Arunachal legislator sees China hand

The Siang as the Tsangpo is known after it enters India from Tibet is drying up,senior Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tako Dabi says and suspects China might ve diverting the river.

Siang has dried up like never before. I strongly suspect that China has started diverting the Brahmaputra or that it has built a dam to block the flow of the river, Dabi,political advisor to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki,said on Thursday.