‘Some movement’ on visa issue on eve of meet

It may be noted that India had suspended high-level defence exchanges after China had said that the Northern Army Commander,who was slated to lead a military delegation to China last year,would require a stapled visa as that is the Chinese policy for residents of the area — Jammu & Kashmir — falling under his command.

Over the last few months,both sides have tried to correct this situation by finding a mutually acceptable solution and in this context,one of the proposals on the table is to have a delegation led by a divisional commander from the Northern Command instead of the Army Commander himself.

While sources are not sure of a breakthrough at Sanya,discussions are still underway with both sides keen to de-escalate matters.

Further,sources said there has been “some movement” on the stapled visa issue which New Delhi is hoping would move in the direction of issuing proper visas to residents of J&K so that all the acrimony can end.

However,the government is still not certain whether these pointers from the Chinese side,including issuing proper visas to journalists from J&K for the BRICS summit,add up to any concrete decision.

Other than that,sources said,the two leaders will review the entire state of the bilateral relationship which was described as being “steady”.

Singh and Hu will exchange views on the developments in West Asia,which is important to both countries from the point of view of their energy security.

On the boundary issue,sources said,the India-China boundary has been tranquil with a drastic reduction in incidents of transgression which augurs well. Flag meetings between border commanders and local officials have carried on unhindered despite the suspension of high-level military exchanges.

At the same time,road building activity along on the Indian side of the border has continued with sources claiming that 70 of the 78 roads would be ready by 2012.