Manmohan Singh urged to discuss Arunachal Pradesh visa issue with Wen Jiabao

Arunachal Pradesh Congress leader Kiren Rijiju today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao the issue of denial of visa by that country to officials from the state.

At a time when the issue of stapled visa to Kashmiris is being taken up with Wen, it is pertinent to raise the Arunachalee visa issue also, Rijiju said in a letter to Singh.

India can 'politely but firmly' tell China that while the talks on the boundary issue can go on and is likely to take a long time, officials from Arunachal Pradesh may be issued normal visas for a better bond between the two Asian giants, the letter which was released to the media here said.

"It is a great opportunity to strike a deal with China through our persuasion and convince them about the rationality of the issue.

"Arunachal Pradesh has become a prisoner of its frontiers. Eighty-five per cent of our international boundary is with China and unless we get access to China through trade and people-to-people contact, Arunachal will remain a land beyond horizon," Rijiju said in the letter.

He said China was increasingly becoming the hub of global economy and major international events and activities were taking place in that country.

"Due to rejection of visas to the officials from the state we are denied attending and taking parts in such vital events. As China has become India's largest trade partner our engagement is bound to grow deeper."

He appreciated that the two countries are engaged in dialogues to build confidence, including talks on boundary disputes.

"Although the people of Arunachal Pradesh do not think that the state is a disputed territory but to Chinese position India is talking on boundary issues, including McMohan Line in the state," the letter said.