NEW DELHI: India on Saturday raised with China its blocking of Jaish-i-Mohammad (JM) chief Masood Azhar’s banning by the UN as well as Beijing’s opposition to India’s NSG membership bid for which the two sides agreed to have a meeting soon between their top disarmament officials, the Press Trust of India said.

It said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her visiting Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during their talks, also decided to put in place a new mechanism at the level of foreign secretaries to discuss various aspects of ties which have witnessed strains in the recent past.

The meeting coincided with reports that Indian Defence Mini­ster Manohar Parrikar would visit Washington this month, his second trip there in eight months.

Ms Swaraj also conveyed to Mr Wang India’s concerns on the China-Pakistan Economic Corri­dor (CPEC) in “disputed Kashmir” during the three-hour-long discussion including over lunch.

They reviewed the situation on the border and discussed further steps to strengthen peace and tranquillity.

Meanwhile, Mr Parrikar is expected to keep the signing of the Logistics Exchange Memoran­dum of Agreement with the US high on the agenda of his visit to Washington, reports said.

India and the US had announced in April this year the decision to conclude the logistic support agreement, but the pact has not been signed yet. Hopes are high on the US side that is in touch with India to draw up the agenda for the minister’s visit, before a schedule is formally announced, an American source told The Hindu.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...