Chinese envoy meets MEA officials

NEW DELHI - Amid media reports of rising tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan met officials of Ministry of External Affairs in South Block on Thursday, sources have said.

The Chinese Ambassador reportedly sought the meeting and no demarche or summon was issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Highly placed sources maintained that the meeting was a “Routine call” and it had nothing to do with the recent media reports of Chinese incursions and Dalai Lama’s proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

Ambassador Zhang reportedly met Joint Secretary (East Asia) Vijay Keshav Gokhale to discuss Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi forthcoming visit to India.

When contacted Chinese Embassy officials did not divulge the details of the meeting and neither confirmed that any such meeting had taken place.

Both Indian and Chinese officials maintained that there is no escalation of tension on the border, and alleged media for playing up the issue.

Chinese Ambassador met MEA official on day when a proposed meeting of the Chinese Working Group under the leadership of the National Security was reportedly called off. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)