China denies visa to AP delegation

HYDERABAD: In a surprising move, China has denied visa to a top-level team from Andhra Pradesh led by industries minister Kanna Lakshminarayana. The delegation was aiming to promote Andhra Pradesh as an investment destination in that country. "No specific reason was given for the visa denial," a top AP government source told TOI. "We're aghast. We're taking up the matter with the Centre," he added.

The Chinese have consistently refused visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming the state is part of China. The team comprising minister Lakshminarayana; principal secretary (food processing) JC Sharma; industries commissioner Karikal Valaven; and, MD of AP State Financial corporation Vikas Raj, finally left for Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore for exploring investment.

According to an MEA source, the AP government officials were in touch with Indian embassy in Beijing which must have completed the paperwork. "Since a minister was involved, the Chinese government should not have rejected the visas," the source added. As per original schedule, the AP team was to visit Beijing and Hong Kong once Chinese visas were given. After the denial of the visa, the team left Hyderabad on October 24 and is scheduled to return on November 4. "They're now in Bali and will arrive in Singapore on Saturday," said a source.

State officials were surprised. "There's simply no reason for Beijing to deny the visas," said an official. The Chinese government had denied visa to Indian Army General B S Jaswal, posted in Jammu & Kashmir, to visit Beijing in August this year. Jaswal is the general officer, commanding-in-chief, of the Indian Army's northern area command. India has also protested the Chinese government's practice of issuing stapled visas to people of J&K. "But none of this should have come in the way of AP government team led by a minister being denied visa," said a senior official.