Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Angered by US President Barack Obama’s attempt to envisage a role for China in South Asia, India on Wednesday made it clear that it objects any move to give a wider footprint to China in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that it had objections to Obama giving China a greater role in South Asian affairs, adding a third country’s role cannot be envisaged in the bilateral relationships between countries of the region.
"A third country role cannot be envisaged nor is it
necessary," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman said in a
terse comment on the joint statement issued on the conclusion
of talks between US President Barack Obama and his Chinese
counterpart Hu Jintao.
The MEA further said India was committed to resolving all issues with Pakistan bilaterally.
"The Government of India
is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with
Pakistan through a peaceful bilateral dialogue in accordance
with the Simla Agreement,” he said.
The US and China had yesterday voiced support for the improvement in Indo-Pak ties and their readiness to promote peace and stability in the region.
A joint statement issued at the conclusion of Obama's talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing listed the situation in South Asia among regional and global challenges.
The two countries “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 joint statement said.
“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,” it added.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman further said, "....we
also believe that a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can take
place only in an environment free from terror or the threat of
terror."
‘Ties with China not at expense of India’
Seeking to downplay any Indian concern over the Obama-Hu
statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said "I
think that is a very positive statement to make." The US and
China have only said that they would work for more peace and
stability in South Asia, Roemer said.
Roemer added that the US is "trying to make sure there is
a prosperous and peaceful rise of China" and "at the same time
have historic close relations between the United States and
India."
"Of course, the United States is interested in perusing
the best and healthiest possible partnership with China; but
that does not come at the expense of other increasingly
important partnership, particularly our relationship with
India," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Bill
Burns said in response to a question at an interaction in Washington.
"The reference in the joint US-China statement with
regard to common international concerns, collective concerns
about Afghanistan is particular, I think is a very straight
forward expression of that we look to China, we look to India,
as many other countries in the world, to contribute to
stability in Afghanistan," Burns said, adding that the US
welcomes India's contribution in Afghanistan.
Ruling out any US mediation in the Indo-Pak peace
process, he said it is for India and Pakistan to decide on the
"scope, content and pace" of the peace process.
Pak welcomes US-China statement
Pakistan today welcomed "the
joint reiteration" by the US and China to promote peace and
stability in South Asia.
In a brief statement issued late this evening, Foreign
Office spokesman Abdul Basit "welcomed the joint reiteration
to promote peace, stability and security in South Asia".
Responding to a question on the issue, Basit "noted the
reference made to South Asia in the US-China joint statement".
The statement did not give further details.
Political storm
In the backdrop of the
US-China joint statement, Congress today said there is no
change in the stand of America towards India and that too much
is being read into the statement issued by President Barack
Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.
"Perhaps too much is being read into it. We believe
that there is no change in US or China policy towards us,"
party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.
He added that Indo-US relations are based on much
surer and more solid foundations than an interpretation of a
"casual remark" made in a leader's speech.
Singhvi at the same time maintained that "if what is
suggested in the press is intended then obviously there would
be objections on it. But there is no material or basis to say
so."
Taking strong objection to the US-China statement, BJP said there was no need for third party intervention
in bilateral matters and asked the government to come clean on
the issue.
BJP will raise the issue of "deviations" in foreign
policy by the UPA government in the Parliament session
starting tomorrow, party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.