Visit by Indian youth delegation to China put off

A visit by a 100-member Indian youth delegation to China next month has been put off amid reports that Beijing has asked India not to include any person from Arunachal Pradesh in the group.

"China's position on the boundary question between India and China is clear cut and consistent," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a media briefing, reiterating Beijing's claims over the north-eastern state.

Qin's remarks came in response to a question about media reports that said China has asked India not to include any person from Arunachal Pradesh in this year's youth delegation which was expected to visit next month.

The visit of a large Indian youth delegation, an annual feature between the two countries in recent years, has been put off, officials told PTI.

General elections in India have been cited as the reason for putting off the scheduled visit.

As per the established programme, the 100-member youth delegation pooled from various states calls on Chinese Premier besides meeting other officials. Visiting Chinese youth delegations similarly meet the Indian Prime Minister.

The postponement of this year's visit by the Indian delegation, however, followed media reports that said China has asked the India not to include youths from Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the reports, Youth Affairs Minister Jitendra Singh protested to the External Affairs Ministry as the Chinese stand challenged India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

Qin said the both India and China were in touch over the specifics.

"With regard to the visit by the Indian delegation to China, the two sides are in communication on specifics," Qin said adding that there is consensus among leaders of the two countries on enhancing exchanges of youth.

"We are happy to see that over recent years the youth exchanges between the two countries have maintained a sound momentum. It will play an important role in promoting friendship between the two countries. We should jointly create favourable conditions for the youth exchanges between the two countries," Qin said.

China in the past has issued stapled visas to the residents of Arunachal Pradesh which has been vehemently protested by India.

Last year, two Indian archers from the state were given visas on separate sheet of papers, leading to the cancellation of their visit. It also had a negative effect on an agreement on the liberalisation of the visa regime between the two countries.