Chinese participation in PoK projects illegal: India

India made clear its objection to China's participation in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,saying it treats any such activity as 'illegal'.

India made clear on Wednesday its objection to China’s participation in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,saying it treats any such activity as “illegal”.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said India has also taken up with China the matter related to issuance of visas to Kashmiris on loose sheets instead of passports and asked it to apply uniform visa norm for all Indian nationals.

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Any activity by any country in Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and this has been made known to all concerned,” Krishna told reporters in Bangalore in response to a question about Chinese participation in developmental projects in PoK.

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China is assisting Pakistan in building a mega power project and construction of a highway in Karakoram range in PoK. Chinese President Hu Jintao,during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in Beijing recently,emphasised his country’s commitment to these projects.

Krishna,who held talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi yesterday,said the matter relating to issuance of visas to Kashmiris was discussed.

“They (Chinese side) said they made no discrimination. We are insisting that there should be a uniform visa norm for Indian nationals,” he said.

To a poser about India not being seen as assertive vis-a-vis China,he said New Delhi seeks relations with everyone as equal and based on mutual respect,regardless of any nation’s economic or military might.

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