TIA NEWS
India has once again told China about the urgent need to declare JeM chief Masood Azhar as a proscribed terrorist. Foreign Secretary Dr S. Jaishankar in a meeting with his counterpart Zhang Yesui said, the case of Azhar is being pursued by other countries also, not by India alone.
On demand of solid evidence by Beijing related to Azhar, the Foreign Secretary said, the fact that other countries are pressing the application in the UN sanctions committee shows that there is broad international support for this and concerns about Azhar’s activities.
On NSG issue, Mr S Jaishankar said the Chinese side underlined that they are open to India’s application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group but they have their own view of procedures which is somewhat different from most of the member countries of the group.
The Foreign Secretary said he raised the concerns about the trade deficit to the Chinese side and it was agreed that the joint economic group will meet early to review it. He said, China has taken some measures but these have not addressed the problem substantially.
He said his visit was useful in conveying to the Chinese side India’s priorities and concerns and also gaining from them an appreciation of their understanding of the world situation.
Dr Jaishnakar was in Beijing to attend restructured strategic dialogue.
This morning, he met Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi and yesterday Dr Jaishankar had called on the State Counsellor Mr. Yang Jiechi and reviewed the entire gamut of relationship. Discussions were held on specific areas including Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and nuclear issues.