India to raise stapled visas issue with China

New Delhi, Apr 5: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Monday, Apr 5, left for Beijing on a four-day visit to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties with China.

During his visit, Krishna is expected to raise issues from stapled visas for Kashmiris to Chinese activities in Jammu Kashmir state.

He will hold wide-ranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Tuesday, Apr 6.

Krishna's visit to Beijing comes ahead of a likely meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Washington and Brasilia later this month.

The two sides are expected to set dates for the 14th round of talks between their special representatives to resolve the boundary dispute that triggered a war in 1962.

Ahead of the talks, India has said that it will raise its key concerns with the Chinese leadership during the visit, including Chinese infrastructure activities in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

"This is a matter of core concern for India because it goes to the heart of our territorial sovereignty and integrity," said Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary who heads China and East Asia sections in the external affairs ministry.

OneIndia News