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India Suspends Defense Exchanges With China

(RTTNews) - Upset over China's refusal to allow the visit of the Indian Army's General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, India has retaliated by canceling defense exchanges with the latter.

As per the established norms of the past few years, the Indian defense establishment in June began preparations for a regular high-level exchange visit to China, scheduled for last month, led by the head of Indian Army's northern command, Lt.-Gen. B. S. Jaswal.

New Delhi was surprised when Beijing responded to his nomination by saying that it was unwilling to "welcome" the three-star General as he "controlled" Jammu & Kashmir, a state that China maintains is disputed and claims in part.

New Delhi shot off a demarche to Beijing, protesting the latter's decision, and refused permission to two Chinese defense officials to attend a course at India's National Defense College. It also cancelled a subsequent visit by Indian military officials to China.

Without leaving any scope for ambiguity, India told China that the unexpected decision to block Gen. Jaswal's visit was the reason behind its decision to snap defense ties.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) may issue a statement later Friday.

China-India ties are shrouded in suspicion and mistrust, mainly due to the unresolved border dispute in India's northwest and northeast, the short war in 1962 and the presence of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in India that China resents.

Additionally, China is a close ally of Pakistan,--which considers India its sole enemy, even to the extent of not willing to acknowledge flood-relief aid--propping up that impoverished Islamic nation with investment, industry know-how and weapons, including missile technology.