Krishna in China for trilateral strategic talks

BEIJING - Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna arrived in China Sunday to take part in a strategic talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts.

The 10th trilateral meeting in the central Chinese city of Wuhan is expected to continue the dialogue on building confidence among the three emerging powers and deal with expanding strategic cooperation to forge a multi-polar world order.

On the sidelines of the two-day meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will also hold separate bilateral talks with Krishna and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Xinhua reported.

Bolstered by US backing, India is expected to press China for categorical support to its bid for UN Security Council permanent membership and discuss contentious issues like stapled visas.

The Chinese policy of issuing stapled visas for Indian citizens of Jammu and Kashmir is seen by New Delhi as a deliberate move to question its sovereignty over the state.

Besides exploring new ideas for expanding cooperation in areas of trade, development and energy, the three ministers will also discuss regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, official sources said.

In his talks with Yang, Krishna is likely to press him for more explicit support by China for India’s candidature for the UN Security Council and also press Beijing to join the process of consultations for the reform of the Security Council.

A day after US President Barack Obama endorsed India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat Nov 8, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson struck a positive note in Beijing, saying China was ready for consultations on the issue and values India’s status in international affairs. This was seen by some observers here as “a step forward”.

The Yang-Krishna meeting will also firm up the agenda for the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India mid-December.

During the meeting between Krishna and Lavrov, the two sides are expected to give finishing touches to the agenda for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s India visit late December.