PRC/INDIA: DESPITE CHINA'S AMBASSADOR'S PRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 023849 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV IN PK CH SUBJECT: PRC/INDIA: DESPITE CHINA'S AMBASSADOR'S PRESS STATEMENTS, TWO SIDES LOOK FORWARD TO FRUITFUL SUMMIT REF: A) FEA20061114029815 B) NEW DELHI 07764 Classified By: External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China and India are working closely together to ensure that Preident Hu Jintao's November 20 ) 23 trip to India is a success, according to a Chinese MFA official and an Indian Embassy officer. In separae meetings, both officers confirmed that recent press statements made by China's Ambassador to India on the border dispute and resulting press stories suggesting a cooling off in relations are not reflective of the true state of the bilateral relationship. The MFA official stated that the "visit will speak for itself," while the Indian officer pointed out that China's Ambassador has embarrassed both New Delhi and Beijing in the past by speaking out of turn. Both officers asserted that border talks between China and India are ongoing and that an announcement on the consultations will be made during President Hu's visit. India is briefed on all aspects of Sino-Pakistan cooperation, according to the MFA official, who added that no new developments in nuclear cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing will be announced during Hu's November 23-26 visit to Pakistan. End Summary. Media Stirring the Pot or . . . -------------- ¶2. (C) The Indian media is trying to "make trouble" before President Hu Jintao's Nov. 20 ) 23 visit to India, stated MFA Asian Department Division Director for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan Huang Xilian, stressing that China's Ambassador Sun Yuxi's remarks on the boundary dispute during a Indian television interview (reftel A) were "taken out of context." Huang said that Beijing was not aware of Sun's remarks at the time Sun made them and that he had to call Sun to get details on the media interview. China and India are working "around the clock" to create a good atmosphere for the visit, Huang told poloffs during a November 16 meeting. Beijing does not allow the outstanding boundary issue effects the development of bilateral relations. Huang stressed that "the visit will speak for itself." . . . China's Ambassador Talking Without Beijing's Guidance -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) PRC Foreign Ministry officials emphatically told their Indian Embassy counterparts in Beijing that China had not instructed Ambassador Sun to speak on the border issue and had no advance notice that Sun was going to give a television interview, according Indian Embassy officer Madhusudhanan Sridharan. Sridharan told POLOFF November 17 that he believed the MFA was embarrassed by Sun's statement and his "bizarre behavior" before a very important high-level exchange. New Delhi is not attributing any ulterior motives to Sun's "outburst," Sridharan said. This is not the first time Ambassador Sun's press interviews have embarrassed both China and India, he stated. Most recently, the two sides had agreed to jointly announce the visit of Hu Jintao but Sun beat everyone to the punch and unilaterally announced the visit, Sridharan said. Border Consultations Not Stalled -------------- ¶4. (C) Consultations between Beijing and New Delhi are on-going, according to MFA Director Huang Xilian, who stressed that the border talks have never been "cancelled." Huang said the idea that the two sides cancelled talks was a media "fabrication." At the conclusion of the eighth round of border talks in September, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of talks within a year but never fixed a date. Huang said that China and India have agreed to make an announcement on the border issue during Hu Jintao's visit. Sridharan stated that the next round of border talks are likely to start "soon" after Hu's visit, adding that the two sides "may announce" the dates of the next round during the summit. Transparent Visit to Pakistan? -------------- ¶5. (C) Huang stated that India is "very clear" about China's cooperation with Pakistan in all fields and that the two countries frequently exchange views. Huang said that no new developments in Sino-Pakistan nuclear cooperation would be BEIJING 00023849 002 OF 002 announced during President Hu Jintao's November 23-26 trip to Pakistan. ¶6. (C) New Delhi is not aware of any Chinese plans to expand nuclear cooperation with Islamabad, stated Sridharan. However, India welcomes and expects the possible signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China during Hu's visit, according to Sridharan. New Delhi hopes that a FTA would promote the development of Pakistan's economy and thereby improve stability in the country. Randt =======================CABLE ENDS============================