China Not Needed In South Asia, Angry India Tells US

New Delhi: Angered by US President Barack Obama’s attempt to envisage a role for China in South Asia, India on Wednesday made it clear that it objects any move to give a wider footprint to China in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that it had objections to Obama giving China a greater role in South Asian affairs, adding a third country’s role cannot be envisaged in the bilateral relationships between countries of the region.

The MEA further said a role for a third country in the region was not necessary and India was committed to resolving all issues with Pakistan bilaterally.

The US and China had yesterday voiced support for the improvement in Indo-Pak ties and their readiness to promote peace and stability in the region.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of Obama’s talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing listed the situation in South Asia among regional and global challenges.

The two countries “support the efforts of Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight terrorism, maintain domestic stability and achieve sustainable economic and social development, and support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan”, the joint statement said.

“The two sides are ready to strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to promote peace, stability and development in that region,” it added.

The US Ambassador to India, Timothy J Roemer today avoided responding to queries on the US-China joint statement, saying he had yet to take a close look at it.

‘No request for Headley extradition’

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference Roemer denied that India had asked for the extradition of David Coleman Headley, a suspect Lashkar operative held in the US by the FBI for plotting terror attacks in India.

He claimed that the US was trying to have Pakistan concentrate on dismantling terror infrastructure inside its territory.

The US envoy also remarked that America had experienced its 9/11 and India its 26/11. And both the countries have suffered in terms of loss of life, he added.

Tags: China, India, South Asia