NEW DELHI, Nov 17 – India is again likely to lodge its protest against the free run enjoyed by ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah in China, besides the flow of weapons into the North Eastern region from that country.
The prickly issues are likely to figure in the discussions when Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summit at Bali in Indonesia later this week.
The presence of Indian insurgent groups in the ‘region’ and availability of arms have figured in discussions with Chinese leaders in the past, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Vishnu Prakash while replying to questions.
Prakash was responding to questions over the presence of the elusive ULFA commander in-chief in China. Baruah reportedly shuttles between China and Myanmar frequently.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also called on the Prime Minister this evening though it was not clear whether he raised the issue of Paresh Baruah’s activities in the neighbouring country.
In the past, too, contentious issues like China’s bid to divert the Brahmaputra river, construction of big dams on the river and incursions into Arunachal Pradesh by Chinese troops have overshadowed the Prime Minister’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart.
During his visit, the other significant meeting Dr Singh is scheduled to have is with the US President, Barack Obama on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. Obama is attending the summit for the first time.
The Prime Minister, who is leaving for Bali on Thursday, is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with member countries of ASEAN during his visit to Indonesia.
A slew of proposals have been lined up to boost ties between India and ASEAN countries. A car rally, dedicated regional air services, promotion of tourism, enhanced cooperation, collaboration and business summits are planned, said Secretary (East) Sanjay Singh.
India is a dialogue partner with the association of 10 South East Asian nations, ASEAN.
The leaders from 10 ASEAN member countries will begin their deliberations tomorrow.
The dialogue partners are India, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. The United States and Russia have also been invited to participate in the summit this year.
The India-ASEAN Summit will consider 40 proposals worth USD 50 million submitted by India to enhance multilateral ties with South East Asian countries.
Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN countries has touched USD 58 billion and will reach USD 70 billion by next year.
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