Nuke deal 'won't affect Beijing ties'

New Delhi: Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India, beginning today, is viewed as an important event in the relations between the two Asian giants.

In an interview with Gulf News, C.V. Ranganath, former Indian envoy to China, talked about the significance of Hu's visit. Excerpts from the interview:

Gulf News: What is the significance of President Hu Jintao's visit to India? Is it merely a symbolic one? Observers say that Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit to India in 2005 was much more substantial because of the many agreements that were signed on the occasion.

C.V. Ranganath: Hu Jintao holds a unique position in China. He is the head of the state, leader of the Communist Party of China and of the military. His visit to India has its own importance. The visit should not be judged by the number of agreements signed, though quite a few agreements will be signed during the visit. The visits of heads of state are important for cementing ties between countries. In the case of Russia, we have annual visits of the leaders to each other's country. So, the visit of the Chinese head of state is important in setting the tone for the overall bilateral relations.

Do you think that the Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi's statement to a private television news channel about Arunachal Pradesh being part of China will have any negative impact on the visit?

It will not have any impact. The Chinese ambassador was also responding to aggressive and uninformed questioning by the television reporter. He was merely restating the known position of China on the border dispute.

Do you think that China is worried by the India-United States civilian nuclear deal?

The Chinese have their concerns on the issue, but they will not articulate it. And it will not be allowed to affect the ties between the two countries.

What will be China's stand as member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)?

China will watch the international response before taking a position of its own, and it will not go against international opinion. The India-US nuclear deal has an international dimension. The Chinese are not going to speak about it openly.

Will China be expressing its support to India's candidacy for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council?

China will not openly support India's case though it recognises the legitimacy of India's claim. China is also more focused on the reform of UN, which is necessary before changes can take place in the Security Council.

Will the focus of Hu's visit be on politics or economics?

The focus will be on all aspects of the relations between the two countries.