External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday expressed concern over the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s recent description of the region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Mr. Krishna was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel here.
While denying the presence of Chinese troops in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan area, China has characterised it as “northern part of Pakistan” and described J&K as “India-controlled Kashmir.”
“Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is an inalienable part of India. We have noted with great concern the comments made by the spokesperson of China. We have advised our Ambassador to express concerns. I hope the Chinese government will have respect for our sensitivities towards J&K,” Mr. Krishna said.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja and MEA officials were present.
Mr. Krishna said the MEA’s decision to hold the meeting at the Taj was to convey respects to those who lost their lives in the November 26, 2008 terror strike.
“This hotel is a landmark not only for Mumbai, but for the entire country. We have gathered here to convey and pay our respects to all those who lost their lives in that gory tragedy of 26/11. That is a grim reminder to the entire world of what terror is all about. On behalf of the Members of Parliament, I would like to convey our deep sense of sadness and sorrow, and our condolences to [the bereaved families],” he said.
“Terror has been a scourge which has hit the world as it has hit India repeatedly. But [it was] the will and resolve of the people of India to remain free and fearless, to take every possible step to contain and overwhelm terror by their resolute action. The citizens of Mumbai have shown remarkable resilience,” Mr. Krishna said.
He complimented the staff and the hotel authorities of Taj on preventing what could have been a greater threat and for all they had done to rebuild the hotel.
