India conveys concern to China over presence in PoK

Beijing/New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) India Friday conveyed its
concerns to China over its presence in Pak-occupied Kashmir
(PoK) and its activities in that region.
The Indian move came in the wake of reports of presence
of about 11,000 Chinese troops in Jammu and Kashmir's
Gilgit-Baltistan region held by Pakistan.
The Indian concerns over Chinese "activity and presence"
were conveyed by Ambassador to China S Jaishankar during a
meeting with their Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Zhang
Zhijun in Beijing on Friday, according to officials at the
Indian Embassy.
Jaishankar also conveyed India's concerns over the
presence of Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) troops in the
region. However, China had Thursday rejected reports that its
troops were in Gilgit region in northern Kashmir.
Jaishankar returned to Beijing on Thursday from Delhi
where he had briefed the Cabinet Committee on Security
(CCS) on the developments regarding China. The CCS chaired by
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had discussed the matter
on Tuesday.
Following the US news reports of PLA presence in PoK,
India had said it would independently verify the matter which
it dubbed as "serious, if true".
"If true, it would be a matter of serious concern and we
would do all that is necessary to ensure safety and security
of the nation," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu
Prakash had said on Monday when asked to comment on reports in
'The New York Times. about the influx of an estimated 7,000 to
11,000 PLA soldiers in Gilgit-Baltistan region.

In his meeting with the Chinese Vice Minister,
Jaishankar reportedly also discussed the situation arising out
of the denial of visa to Lt Gen B S Jaswal, Chief of Indian
Army's North Command, by China apparently on the ground that
he headed troops in Jammu and Kashmir, which Beijing considers
a disputed territory.
He also discussed a host of other issues concerning
Sino-Indian ties.
During the meeting Jaishankar referred to recent media
reports, and the reference was apparently related to the New
York Times recently that about 7,000 to 11,000 Chinese troops
were present in Gilgit-Baltistan area of the PoK.
India while expressing its concern has said it is
verifying the reports.
The Chinese side in response explained to the Indian
envoy that the Chinese were present in the Gilgit area to help
provide assistance to the people affected by recent floods,
officials said.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed a
number of issues to improve the bilateral relationship, they
said.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu
Thursday denied the report saying that it is a fabricated
story aimed at destroying China's relations with Pakistan and
India.
Prior to that, the Pakistan Ambassador to China,
Masood Khan too denied the report saying that only a Chinese
humanitarian assistance team was present in the area to assist
the victims of the recent floods.
India has already put on hold defence exchanges with
China. But Beijing said it has not yet received any official
communication from India and its defence ties with New Delhi
are intact.
Indian officials consider that China's policy of
issuing stapled visas to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir
since last year, culminating into denial of visa to the Gen
Jaswal, is turning out to be a big stumbling block for both
countries to step up their relations.
"About our visa policy toward inhabitants in the
Indian controlled Kashmir region, the policy is consistent and
stayed unchanged," Jiang said in her press briefing yesterday.
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