No Chinese journalists allowed for Aero-India show

The Defence Ministry did not keep any slot for China in the list of countries whose journalists could apply online on its website to make them eligible to cover the event beginning February 9 to 13.

Officials said China, along with Pakistan and Iran, was also not invited to participate in the show. The issue of Chinese journalists being unable to register for accreditation was raised by a Chinese journalist at a press conference addressed by Secretary (Defence Production) Rajkumar Singh here.

"As far as accreditation is concerned, the list of countries is given by the External Affairs Ministry. We go by their advice on these issues," Singh said in his response. Asked why China was not invited to participate in the biennial exhibition, Singh said, "China was invited in the last edition of the show but it didn't come."

He added that "the answer would be better given by the EAM as we go by their advise." Singh said along with China, Iran and Pakistan were also not sent the invites for attending the show.

On whether the Defence Attaches of these countries in India would be invited to view the show, he said the decision in this regard would be taken by the MEA only. Officials said the names of China, Pakistan and Iran were not considered by the committee, which selects countries to be invited for the show.

The development comes against the backdrop of continuing row between India and China over the latter's visa policy under which residents of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are given stapled visas instead of the proper stamped ones.

The situation took a turn last year when China denied a proper visa to the thenNorthern Army Commander Lt Gen B S Jaswal as he was based in Jammu and Kashmir. Jaswal was intending to travel to Beijing to take part in the Annual Defence Dialogue between the two sides.

India reacted strongly to this and suspended high level defence exchanges but China refuses to relent.