India to protest China's stapled visas in Hanoi

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 27: With China continuing to issue stapled visas to people of Jammu Kashmir despite New Delhi's reservations against it, India is expected to take up the issue during the East Asia Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to bring up the issue when he meets his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao in the sidelines of the summit, most likely on Oct 30, state several media reports.

In the wake of China"s assertion that its policy of issuing stapled visas to Kashmiris would remain unchanged, a government source told a newspaper, "India"s position on stapled visa is well-articulated and conveyed to the Chinese in unambiguous terms."

While India has continuously asserted that Jammu Kashmir is an integral part of the country, China has maintained that its visa policy will not change.

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and all countries will have to follow a uniform practice while issuing visa," the source is quoted as saying in the Economic Times.

India has even suspended defence exchanges with China in Julu. On Sunday, Oct 24, New Delhi reiterated that it would remain suspended till Beijing reverts to its stand on Jammu and Kashmir.

OneIndia News