Be tactful, firm with China, Arunachal MP tells Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his upcoming visit to China on April 27-28, should negotiate a water treaty to ensure that there is no further diversion of Brahmaputra and that pollution levels in the river are reduced, a Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Ninong Ering, said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The focus of the government must be on negotiating a water treaty with China. It will help the Northeastern States of India to have their natural right to clean and continuous water,” he wrote.

The issue of “stapled visa” to Arunachal Pradesh residents should also be raised “tactfully.” China continued to give stapled visas to residents of the State, claiming it was a part of its territory. “The government must assert the territorial integrity of India and convey the feelings of its people in a firm manner,” he said.

The issues of stapled visa and dispute over Brahmaputra were there during the UPA regime too, when Mr. Ering was a Minister in the government.

“It is not a question of UPA or NDA, it is a question of Northeast and the mainland. Modi ji talking about the Northeast, I hope it is not all eye-wash,” Mr. Ering told The Hindu.