China’s ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Monday spoke over phone with a Chinese soldier who has been living in Madhya Pradesh since 1963. The conversation came days after the Ministry of External Affairs said that it was trying to “ascertain” the details of the case involving the soldier named Wang Qi.
In his conversation, Ambassador Luo expressed sympathy over the suffering Wang underwent over the years. “I instructed the Embassy to keep in touch with you, to know your ideas and provide assistance as much as possible, including the replacement of your passport,” the ambassador said, according to a statement in Chinese language posted on the website of the Chinese embassy in Delhi.
A rare bonhomie
Wang Qi was arrested in 1963, a year after he strayed into India during the India-China war. He was imprisoned in 1969 and was shifted to Tirodi village in Madhya Pradesh where he married a local woman and settled there ever since.
“In recent years, Chinese Embassy to India had kept in close touch with Wang Qi and made relentless effort to help him return to China, including pushing Indian side on exit and entry procedures for hi,” said Lu Kang, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson on Monday.
His case had been known to the Chinese authorities who have been trying to deal with the case according to Wang’s will. “In 2013, the Embassy issued a 10-year Chinese passport to him and provided living allowance for him every year since then,” the Chinese Spokesperson said.
Making the choice
“We have been in contact with the Government of India regarding your visit to China. We also fully understand that you have relatives in China. In India, you have a wife, children and grandchildren. Both countries have relatives who are part of family,” Mr. Luo said adding that Wang has to make an appropriate and thoughtful choice.
While it is known that Mr. Wang is a former Chinese soldier, it is, however, not known if he was taken as prisoner of war in 1962.
