Krishna to hold talks with four Chinese leaders tomorrow

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is set to hold talks on Sino-Indian ties with four senior Chinese officials here tomorrow besides inaugurating the new Indian Embassy building.

Setting aside protocols, Chinese government has lined up meetings with four of its key officials with Krishna, signifying the importance it attached to Sino-Indian relations, even though his visit was regarded as private one aimed at inaugurating the Embassy building.

Krishna's three-day visit, starting from tonight assumed significance as he is scheduled to have talks with Chinese leaders on various aspects of the India-China ties, which has seen several ups and downs in recent months, Indian officials here said.

Krishna would begin his day tomorrow by meeting Zhou Yongkong, who is the ninth ranked member of the nine member politburo of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, (CPC).

Zhou is also looks after the security aspects of the country.

He visited India in 2010 and had met several Indian leaders, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

It was after that visit China tacitly agreed to reverse its policy of giving visas on a separate piece of paper to resident of Jammu and Kashmir, which drew strong opposition from India.

After meeting Zhou, Krishna would have luncheon meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi.

The two were set to discuss various issues concerning bilateral ties, officials said.

Krishna would later meet Wang Jiarui, a senior official of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, (CPC) followed by a meeting with top diplomat and State Counsellor, Dai Bingguo who visited New Delhi last month to take part in the 15th round India-China border talks.

Indian officials regard the four meetings as significant as it demonstrated the importance China attached to his visit to Beijing, even though it was for the purpose of inaugurating the Embassy building.

Chinese regard Krishna in high regard as they believe that he brought about calming influence on the bilateral ties, when they hit road blocks.

Several issues concerning the bilateral ties as well as important global issues were expected to figure in the talks.

Also a senior Chinese official was expected to be present at the inauguration ceremony of the USD 10 million sand stone building followed by a cultural performance.