Talks with Wen cordial and ‘correct’

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to allay Chinese alarm over a growing Indian footprint in the South China Sea when he met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday, saying any Indian exploration for oil was more in keeping with its economic interests and had no political overtones.

Indian officials said the tone and tenor of the talks were cordial and “correct” with the Chinese PM, stressing that good things happened when two wise men of the east put their heads together, presaging a joint stewardship to safeguard their respective economies amid rising alarm over Europe’s meltdown.
Sources indicated Mr Wen reassured Dr Singh that the issue of stapled visas (given to residents of Jammu and Kashmir) was at an end, but without any indication of how China will deal with applications from residents of Arunachal, to which it stakes a claim.
The two PMs are also said to have discussed India’s perceived thaw with the Pakistan government of Yousaf Raza Gilani, with Mr Wen saying peace between India and Pakistan would benefit the entire region.
The meeting comes as China, which has “ taken full advantage of the decade of American distraction — more so than any other country in the region — is preparing to counter United States’ intentions as Washington returns to the scene,” the Heritage Foundation reports. “Many countries have begun to find an increased American presence in the region desirable as a counterbalance to China.”