New Delhi: China remains adamant and will continue to issue stapled visas to Indians living in Kashmir. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to share his concerns on China's stance when he meets Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit later this week.
India suspended military exchanges with China after it issued a stapled visa to Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal in July
But Beijing provoked New Delhi once again by saying it will not relent on the issue of stapled visas to Indians from Kashmir.
"Though China has friendly relations with India, its policy towards the stapled visas for residents of Kashmir remained unchanged," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu.
The war of words over the contentious issue came three days ahead of a meeting between Singh and Wen on the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Hanoi.
The practice of issuing stapled visas, which amounts to questioning Jammu and Kashmir's accession with India, was started by China about two years ago.
India has already made it clear to China that the defence exchanges will remain on "pause" till Beijing reverts to its long-held position on Jammu and Kashmir.
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