New Delhi:
It was stressed repeatedly by India as one its "core issues" but no progress has been made during the Chinese Prime Minister's visit on his country's policy of issuing stapled visas to travellers from Jammu and Kashmir. Stapled visas indicate that China accepts Kashmir as disputed territory.
China's Wen Jiabao met with Dr Manmohan Singh today for bilateral talks. The joint statement issued later did not refer to stapled visas.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said that it was Wen who raised the issue and said that China takes India's concerns seriously. However, Wen only went so far as to say that officials of India and China should have "in-depth" discussions on the matter. Rao stressed, "The ball is in their court. There is no doubt about that."
The Joint statement also did not refer to 26/11 or India's demand for expediting punishment to those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks. (
Read: No mention of 26/11 in India-China joint statement)
There is also no change in China's position for a permanent seat for India at the UN Security Council. The statement today says "China supports India's aspiration to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council. China welcomes India's election to non-permanent membership." (
Read: Confident of India-China ties, says Wen Jiabao)
The two countries have also set a huge trade target of 100 billion dollars by 2015. (
Read: India, China seek to double trade to $100 billion)