In view of the tense situation at the Sikkim border and ongoing diplomatic posturing, the Chinese Government has issued an advisory to its citizens travelling to India, asking them to take necessary precautions for their personal safety.
In its advisory posted on the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi website in Mandarin, the Chinese Government has asked the Chinese travellers to pay close attention to the local security situation, improve self-protection awareness, strengthen security, reduce unnecessary travel, pay attention to personal and property safety as well as to provide advance information to their family and friends.
“The Chinese travellers should pay attention to the situation, keep the communication open, carry personal identification, strictly abide by the Indian laws and regulations and respect local religious customs,” the advisory said while providing phone numbers of the consular section of the Embassy for emergency situations.
Interestingly, despite regular stand-offs at its borders with China, Chinese citizens have never faced any problem in India nor have they been a victim of any anti-China sentiments. Compared to this two Chinese citizens were killed in Pakistan recently, a country with which China has good friendship.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy has clarified that it has not denied visa to the India Foundation scholars and the delegation visit is as per schedule.
“As far as I know, all seven members of India Foundation delegation to visit China got their visas in time. None of the visa application was denied. The delegation will visit China as scheduled. The Chinese side always welcomes and supports the exchanges of think tanks between China and India. It is not true that the source of India Foundation claims that ‘two of its junior research members were denied visas and the visit to China of the delegation has been canceled’,” spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India, Counselor Xie liyan, clarified.
India Foundation members on Friday said that two of its junior research members were denied visa by the Chinese embassy. Following this BJP General Secretary tweeted: “I was not in the delegation. It was supposed to be an academic delegation. After the denial of visa to two researchers, Foundation called off the visit.” Madhav holds a Chinese visa till November this year. The delegation was to visit Fudan University in Shanghai next week.