The theme of the G20 meeting in Itanagar was ‘Research, innovation initiative, gathering’. It was organised by the state science and technology department and was not open to the media…reports Asian Lite News
China on Monday declined to react to reports that its officials skipped a “confidential” G20 meeting held in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of the mainland.
When asked about reports that China has abstained from the meeting held on Sunday at Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here “I am not aware of what you said”.
“I have to check it with my colleagues,” she said.
The question and her reply did not figure in the official transcript of the media briefing posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website hours later. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet. India firmly rejects China’s claims and asserts that the state is an integral part of the country.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited New Delhi earlier this month to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Qin also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on March 2. The meeting was the first between Jaishankar and Qin after the latter became the Chinese foreign minister in December.
The theme of the G20 meeting in Itanagar was ‘Research, innovation initiative, gathering’. It was organised by the state science and technology department and was not open to the media.
The delegates, who arrived at the state on Saturday morning, was accorded a grand welcome to the state. An exhibition showcasing various tribal arts and cultures was also held. The delegates also visited the Thupten Gatseling Monastery and the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum where they were briefed about the history and rich culture of the northeastern state.
Besides Arunachal, a G20 meeting will also be held in Jammu and Kashmir in second week of May. Pakistan has already expressed its protest over the conduct of meeting in the northern most state, but India has overridden its opposition to go ahead and schedule the meeting. The g20 event is also at a much higher-level meeting compared to the RIIG event in Itanagar.
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