China-India border disputes turn sour

• Source: Global Times
• [09:41 October 16 2009]
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Singh's vist also brought up outcries among the Chinese public. A Global Times Chinese website poll participated by more than 10,000 users Tuesday showed that more than 96% people are "angry" over the visit, and many believed it was a provocative move.

In response to New Delhi's call Wednesday to halt Beijing's assistance on hydro-electric projects in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, the foreign ministry spokesman said "the Kashmir issue is a question left over by history that should be resolved properly through consultation and dialogue by India and Pakistan."

The remarks came after a warning by India about Beijing's involvement in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

"We hope that the Chinese side will take a long-term view of India-China relations and cease such activities in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said in response to a Chinese statement that it would remain engaged in Pakistan.

China offered help to Pakistan to build a multibillion-dollar dam in Kashmir, leading New Delhi to complain to Islamabad.

An agreement was signed in August to begin construction of the project, one of the eight 7,000 megawatt hydro-projects to be constructed, the Xinhua News Agency has reported. The dam is being constructed at Bunji in the Astore district of the Gilgit-Baltistan area, Xinhua said.

The Indian media have also sensationalized Nepal's invitation on China to extend its Qinghai-Tibet plateau railway to Kathmandu, and how the Indian Railways has come up with a plan to build links with Nepal and Bhutan.

Hindustan Times called it part of India's stepped up diplomatic initiatives to "neutralise China's advantage in the region" over the past few months.