New Delhi: Amid media reports of rising tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Ambassador in India Zhang
Yan met officials of the Ministry of External Affairs in South Block on Friday, sources have said. The Chinese Ambassador reportedly sought the meeting and no
demarche or summon was issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry. Highly placed sources
maintained that the meeting was a "Routine call" and it had nothing to do with
the recent media reports of Chinese incursions and Dalai Lama's proposed visit
to Arunachal Pradesh. Ambassador Zhang reportedly met Joint Secretary (East Asia)
Vijay Keshav Gokhale to discuss Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi forthcoming
visit to India. When contacted Chinese Embassy officials did not divulge the details
of the meeting and neither confirmed that any such meeting had taken place. Both
Indian and Chinese officials maintained that there is no escalation of tension
on the border, and alleged media for playing up the issue. Chinese Ambassador
met MEA official on day when a proposed meeting of the Chinese Working Group under
the leadership of the National Security was reportedly called off.
