Stapled visas to people of Arunachal Pradesh is due to border dispute: China

NEW DELHI: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday said that Arunachal Pradesh was disputed territory while justifying granting of stapled visas to residents from the state “as a special arrangement” to enable their travel.

However, Wang announced that visa simplification agreement with India was almost ready and that it would be signed shortly. India has been strongly opposing issuing of stapled visas to people from Arunachal and have cancelled their trips to China on such visas.

The issue was also discussed between Wang and Sushma Swaraj on Sunday. However, addressing a press meet on Monday night justified issuance of stapled visas to Arunachal Pradesh residents pending resolution of boundary dispute.

China claims whole of Arunachal Pradesh if not Tawang tract of the state. Wang also pointed out that transgressions along Line of Actual Control happened due to differing perceptions of LAC. But he was positive that quick communication between two sides would prevent incident to flare up.

“Let's not boundary question overshadow other aspects of bilateral relations. There is peace and tranquility along boundary and mechanisms are working well. This is an achievement. We are working towards fair and reasonable boundary settlement that is mutually satisfactory,” Wang noted.

The visiting Minister who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday afternoon said both have discussed means to improve cultural ties including celebrations of Hueng Tsang who had travelled to Gujarat.

Wang also called on President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss strategic partnership. Wang also identified infrastructure and general manufacturing as sectors where China can invest in India but sought preferential and investor friendly policies.

In what could also give competition to Japan, the Minister said China help India in building high speed railway. He, however, rued at quantum of trade for which potential are tremendous.