Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna was told on day 1 of his visit on Wednesday by his Chinese counterpart Yang Jeichi that India put an end to the activities of the Dalai Lama and the new Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lapsong Sangey as they were indulging in anti-China activities.

Even as Krishna responded reiterated that the Dalai Lama was a spiritual leader and said that India sticks to its previous stand that Tibet is part of China, Yang was not convinced. 15th round of boundary talks held last month in New Delhi ended in a deadlock after China insisted that India discuss the Arunachal swap formula.

Krishna has gone to China to extend invitation to Chinese President Hu Jintao on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit New Delhi for the fourth BRICS Summit. The summit among Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is to be held in New Delhi on March 29.

The visit aims at bridging the divide between the two Asian neighbours and prepare the ground for Krishna’s visit. However, the gap appears to have only widened. On the issues of pharmaceutical companies being provided market access in China, Krishna expressed hope that China will allow it soon.

Krishna is on the three day visit of China visit. On Wednesday he also inaugurated the Indian embassy’s new $10 million, or 49-crore, 13,500 sq meters complex. Designed by Indian architect Raj Rewal, the building also houses a cultural complex and a 100-seater auditorium.

“A modern and expansive chancery clearly reflects our expectations of ties with China,” Krishna said at the inauguration ceremony. “A stronger India-China economic relationship can make a direct contribution to that goal,” he said and added “Indeed, as neighbors, the stability and predictability that we provide to the other is itself of great value.”
“As the only two nations with a population of more than a billion each, the foremost priority for both of us is to raise the quality of life of our people,” Krishna said in his speech at the ceremony.

Krishna also met with Communist Party of China (CPC) Polit Bureau member Zhou Yongkang at Beijing’s famous Great Hall of the People to improve bilateral ties.

Zhou said to Krishna, “I think it’s fair to say that with the full commitment of leaders of both countries we have traditionally enjoyed a good relationship,” and expressed satisfaction with progress in ties. He described the opening of the new embassy building as “an auspicious event in the year of the dragon”.

Remembering his visit to India in November 2010 Zhou said that there is enough opportunities and space for development of the 2.5 billion people of China and India.

Krishna also met the two Indian traders involved in a commercial dispute and assured them all possible help. Krishna requested Beijing to intervene but China remained cold to New Delhi’s suggestion.

 

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