National Security Adviser M K Narayanan inherited his additional position as special representative for negotiating with the Chinese on outstanding disputes from the late J N Dixit, who in turn took over after Brajesh Mishra. Vajpayee’s right hand man had appropriated the additional duty for himself after the then PM’s visit to China, and ever since, it has remained with the NSA.

It is unlikely, however, that Narayanan will hold this additional charge for much longer. In what seems a clear signal, the Chinese backed out of the Indo-China talks scheduled for November 10 and 11 before Chinese President Hu Jin Tao’s forthcoming visit.

What is more they did not offer any alternative dates to Narayanan for the meeting.

The NSA chief is at a disadvantage as a negotiator with the Chinese since he is hardliner presiding over the nation’s vast intelligence network. After all, it’s our security agencies that have recommended that FDI from China should not be permitted in key infrastructure sectors in India, which is a major cause for the Chinese government’s annoyance with India.

The fact that the new Foreign Secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon, who was formerly our ambassador to China, is an expert on China and speaks Mandarin fluently renders Narayan redundant in any case.

Naming business

The foundation stone for a new headquarters of the Foreign Office was laid by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier this week. The new building, located on Janpath, is to be named after Jawaharlal Nehru, creating some confusion since there is already a Jawahar Bhawan on the same road where the Cottage Emporium is housed.

... contd.