Krishna to take up India's 'concerns' with China

India's concerns on a host of issues, including issuance of stapled visas and "illegal" construction in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, will be taken up by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during his meetings with Chinese leadership when he visits that country from Monday.

Briefing the reporters ahead of the minister's four-day visit, external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said the entire gamut of bilateral issues will be taken up, including the boundary issue, "illegal" construction by Chinese companies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China issuing stapled visas to those hailing from Jammu and Kashmir.

India has been maintaining that any construction in PoK by China is "illegal". This has been conveyed to China at every level, as it was a matter of "core concern" to the country, said Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the ministry Gautam Bambawale.

However, Prakesh maintained that the two countries, which have divergent views on various issues, have "maturity and confidence" to resolve them and "narrow our areas of divergence".

Another issue of concern, which was expected to be taken up during the meeting of Krishna -- who will meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and hold parleys with his counterpart Yang Jiechi -- was trade imbalance.

The Indian side is pressing for greater access to some of its goods in the markets there. Asked if the issue of 21 Indians, who have been charged with diamond smuggling in China, will be raised, Bambawale said there would be enough time to take up visa and consular issues during the visit.

India has once again sought consular access to these 21 people and requested China to allow them to meet their immediate family members, which will happen soon, he said. This will be Krishna's first bilateral visit to China since he became the foreign minister in May last year and his first trip after relations came under strain last year over a host of issues including reported intrusion by Chinese troops along the border and Beijing's claims over Arunachal Pradesh.

Besides holding consultations on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest with his counterpart, the minister will also flag off the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The minister will also formally inaugurate the Festival of India in China.