PM returns from summit; talks with China to begin

AMICABLE NEIGHBOURS: Manmohan Singh met Wen Jiabao at the summit in Thailand, claims to have made strides in bi-lateral relations.

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New Delhi:Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rebuffed China's wishes that it stop the Dalai Lama from travelling to Arunachal Pradesh. Manmohan Singh told the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao that the Dalai Lama is an honoured guest; but promised not to allow the visit to be polit icised.

"I am not aware of the plans of the Dalai Lama. I have explained this position to the Chinese leadership. About the border, we both have an obligation to maintain peace and tranquility along the border," Singh said, he told the Chinese premier.

The week long visit to Arunachal will take the Dalai Lama to Tawang where he will open a hospital built with funds he donated. The Union Home Ministry sources confirmed the visit is on.

The other raging issue is about China's plans to dam the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra in Tibet.

"The Chinese side has been providing hydrological data during the flood season. He said relevant discussions on trans-border river issues could be held through the experts-level mechanism that we have constituted," Singh told reporters.

Although Indian diplomats claim that China is planning a run of the river project which will not store water, there's nothing official from Beijing on this. Indications are that China will go ahead with the project despite India's objections.

The Kashmiri visa issue did not figure in the talks but indications are that it could be taken up with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechie next week. China's growing investments in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir may also figure in those talks.

Even as border disputes and contentious issues remain unresolved, there are indications that the rhetorical barbs between the two nations will be on the ebb at least for next few days, regaining momentum in crucial bilateral relations.