M A I N   N E W S

China keen on N-cooperation
To discuss boundary issue today
Shastri Ramachandaran
Tribune News Service

Beijing, January 13
Chinese signals on nuclear cooperation with India are positive. The indications were perceptible during informal talks over dinner between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Formal talks between the two leaders scheduled for tomorrow are expected to reinforce the optimism that emerged late this evening.

Sources confirmed to journalists accompanying the Prime Minister that the informal meeting held out hopes of the Chinese government cooperating with India’s pursuit for development of nuclear energy. National security adviser M.K Narayanan, foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon and Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao were also present at the dinner.

There have been reports that Bejiing has been lobbying the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers’ Group to resist moves that will end international sanctions against India. Although Beijing has denounced the Non-Proliferation Treaty as an instrument of hegemony, China’s hostility to India’s civilian nuclear ambitions and its suggestion at one stage that India should sign the NPT has been viewed with concern. The description of Dr Manmohan Singh’s talks with Premier Wen as “good” and “positive” suggest that the atmospherics are being generated to ensure that this issue does not cast a cloud over the Indian Prime Minister’s visit.

The contentious boundary question did not figure at dinner meeting today. In fact, it appeared to have been kept off the table as it would be taken up between Dr Manmohan Singh and Wen tomorrow and followed up on Tuesday between the Special Representatives, Mr Narayanan and Dai Bingguo, China’s deputy foreign minister.