Defence ties with India not 'halted': China

China today said that it has received no communication that India has "halted" military exchanges between the two countries, but remain mum on issue of denial of permission to a top Indian general to visit here.

"China has not halted defence exchanges with India and has received no word that India has stopped military exchanges between the two countries," China's defence ministry said in a brief statement faxed to Western news agencies here.

India has said that it has put on hold its defence exchanges with China after Northern Army commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal was refused permission to visit Beijing as he commands the "sensitive" Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi has said that Beijing's action amounts to questioning the status of Jammu and Kashmir which is unacceptable and the defence exchanges will remain suspended till the matter is resolved.

In retaliation, India has denied permission to three Chinese army officials to visit the country.

There was no response to queries sent by the Beijing based Indian correspondents to the Chinese foreign ministry here nor there were any references to the on going controversy between the two countries.

Chinese ambassador to India Zhang Yan met foreign office officials yesterday during which India reportedly conveyed its strong feelings as well as decision to suspend defence exchanges.