By Smita Prakash, Geneva, Nov.22 : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan
Singh, is likely to use his four-day visit to Washington commencing from
today, to firmly and emphatically reiterate and re-emphasise to the
American leadership, that New Delhi does not see a role for China in
South Asia, nor will it tolerate attempted third party guardianship
initiatives in the region by Beijing.
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Placing its strong objection to the reference made to South Asia in the
joint statement issued by Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao in
Beijing this week, the Indian Government has ensured that both the
United States and China retreat from their proposed mediating efforts on
ties between India and Pakistan.
According to sources, China has
indicated its appreciation and respect for the Indian position for only
having bilateral and direct talks with Pakistan and brooking no
interference from outside.
'On China, we have a bilateral
relationship with countries and we are not interested in a guardianship
role with any, and nor will we accept a guardianship role by any
country,' said a source.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said:
'The Chinese have said that they respect our position and support
direct talks between India and Pakistan.'
The Chinese
establishment seems to have been told that India will not accept any
'guardianship role' by any country.
During President Barack
Obama's November 15–18 visit to China, a joint statement on regional and
global challenges said: 'The two sides welcomed all efforts conducive
to peace, stability and development in South Asia. They support the
efforts of Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight terrorism, maintain
domestic stability and achieve sustainable economic and social development,
and support the improvement and growth of relations between India and
Pakistan. The two sides are ready to strengthen communication, dialogue
and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to
promote peace, stability and development in that region.'
India
responded aggressively to the purported US-China intent when it made
clear that a third party role was not necessary.
Sticking to its
stand that no 'meaningful dialogue' can take place unless there was a
terror-free environment, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said:
'The Government of India is committed to resolving all outstanding
issues with Pakistan through a peaceful bilateral dialogue in accordance
with the Simla Agreement.'
'A third country role cannot be
envisaged nor is it necessary. We also believe that a meaningful
dialogue with Pakistan can take place only in an environment free from
terror or the threat of terror.'
US Under Secretary of State for
Political Affairs, William Burns, said in Washington that while his
country is interested in building better relations with China, it would
be at the cost of India.
When asked about President Obama not
mentioning India in a major speech about Asia's role in world affairs,
Burns said, 'The clearest indication of this was the fact that Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington next week would be the
first hosted by the Obama administration.'
'On matters of common
international concern, the US looked to China and many other countries,'
said Burns, who is among the top US officials giving finishing touches
to a strategic dialogue framework with India to take their relationship
to the next level during the visit.
'We look forward to the
completion of the remaining steps on both sides,' he said, pointing out
that US companies stand to benefit a great deal with the implementation
of the nuclear deal.
US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer told a
press conference
this week that it was not Washington's intention to suggest that China
could play a role in South Asia.
For the moment, it seems the
latest US-China joint statement has proved to be as dead as the
India-Pakistan joint statement issued after the Prime Ministers of the
two countries – Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Raza Gilani met in the Egyptian
resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh in July this year, a non-starter at least
with regard to South Asia which will not tolerate Chinese hegemony.
--ANI