Swaraj raises stapled visa, incursion issues

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj today called on visiting Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and flagged several contentious issues, including that of stapled visas being issued to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Swaraj firmly conveyed to the Chinese Prime Minister that the stapled visas being issued to Kashmiris should be stopped forthwith,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

She also expressed her concern over Chinese incursions into Arunachal Pradesh, saying this was not fair, as the state is a part of India.

BJP also reacted to Chinese statements that it was neutral to both India and Pakistan.

“Swaraj told Jiabao that India is a victim and Pakistan a perpetrator of terrorism, so how can the two be treated equally?” Prasad said.

The principal opposition party has raised these issues from time to time both at the national level and in Parliament. It has asked the UPA government to be firm while dealing with China.

The Leader of Opposition requested Wen to allow Indian pharmaceutical and software companies access to the Chinese market. Wen enquired about former Prime Minister

A B Vajpayee’s health and fondly recalled his visit to China during the NDA regime.