<b>China mum on backing India at IAEA, NSG</b>
(Pioneer)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ahead of the crucial meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors, India has failed to receive any assurance from China in favour of the India-US civil nuclear agreement. Â
Congress general secretary and Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan has returned from China after holding discussions with the Government and political party there. Chavan, who had gone as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, gave a letter to the Chinese Government seeking its support at the IAEA and Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) fora. Sources indicated that though the meetings were cordial, t<b>here was no commitment from China, </b>which is eyeing India's nuclear agreement with US as a threat to its status in South Asia.
Back home after the meetings, Chavan refused to comment on the Chinese Government's position. He said: "I was there only as the PM's envoy and had three meetings there." According to sources, the Indian side had a luncheon meeting with a junior minister, then with a party minister and finally with a special representative and State Councillor.
India tried to impress upon China its need for energy security. The country touched the issues of population and poverty as the key to strike a chord with China. A source said: "We have put to the Chinese side that we have to face poverty just like them."
With the Beijing Olympics just round the corner, China has imposed restrictions on the number of cars on its roads to cut down pollution. The Indian side took that cue to show that India would also like to cut down carbon emissions by using innovative techniques like China (it allows cars with even number registration plates on one day and odd numbers the next). <b>The Chinese side asked specific questions on the nuclear agreement and expressed interest in understanding the political discord raging within India on the issue. </b>
The Prime Minister had met Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the G-8 summit in Japan to drum up support. <b>Though China has hinted it would not want to become a stumbling block in India's way, it has still not spelt out its stance. India is now completely dependent on the US to use its clout to win over China to its side. </b>
<b>A source said that there was also a possibility of China not attending the NSG meeting at all.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am sure Burns and fellows have convinced the chinese much before they convinced their own rogue bigots in Congress about the true nature of the deal. Hence the "shadow boxing" (as said elsewhere) routine between Communists and Americans culminating with Communist-SP relay pass.
(Pioneer)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ahead of the crucial meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors, India has failed to receive any assurance from China in favour of the India-US civil nuclear agreement. Â
Congress general secretary and Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan has returned from China after holding discussions with the Government and political party there. Chavan, who had gone as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, gave a letter to the Chinese Government seeking its support at the IAEA and Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) fora. Sources indicated that though the meetings were cordial, t<b>here was no commitment from China, </b>which is eyeing India's nuclear agreement with US as a threat to its status in South Asia.
Back home after the meetings, Chavan refused to comment on the Chinese Government's position. He said: "I was there only as the PM's envoy and had three meetings there." According to sources, the Indian side had a luncheon meeting with a junior minister, then with a party minister and finally with a special representative and State Councillor.
India tried to impress upon China its need for energy security. The country touched the issues of population and poverty as the key to strike a chord with China. A source said: "We have put to the Chinese side that we have to face poverty just like them."
With the Beijing Olympics just round the corner, China has imposed restrictions on the number of cars on its roads to cut down pollution. The Indian side took that cue to show that India would also like to cut down carbon emissions by using innovative techniques like China (it allows cars with even number registration plates on one day and odd numbers the next). <b>The Chinese side asked specific questions on the nuclear agreement and expressed interest in understanding the political discord raging within India on the issue. </b>
The Prime Minister had met Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the G-8 summit in Japan to drum up support. <b>Though China has hinted it would not want to become a stumbling block in India's way, it has still not spelt out its stance. India is now completely dependent on the US to use its clout to win over China to its side. </b>
<b>A source said that there was also a possibility of China not attending the NSG meeting at all.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am sure Burns and fellows have convinced the chinese much before they convinced their own rogue bigots in Congress about the true nature of the deal. Hence the "shadow boxing" (as said elsewhere) routine between Communists and Americans culminating with Communist-SP relay pass.