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This Article is From Oct 29, 2009

Chinese participation in PoK projects illegal: India

Chinese participation in PoK projects illegal: India
Bangalore: India has made clear its opposition 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 relating 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 response to a question about Chinese participation in developmental projects in PoK.

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 in Bangalore on Tuesday, 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," Krishna 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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