KOLKATA: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had to cancel her China travel hours earlier than boarding the flight on Friday upon getting no affirmation till noon of a proposed political discussion with Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee contributors.
Banerjee, who was to leave for an eight-day travel as the top of a 40-member delegation, felt that there was no need going to China with no political discussion with CPC contributors of a "certain level commensurate with her role in Indian politics", Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra mentioned.
Banerjee set her itinerary following a request from international minister Sushma Swaraj three months ago, urging her to lead a delegation to China below the Exchange Programme of the Indian govt and the world division of CPC.
China had invited Banerjee to Beijing but the latter did not company up her plans till the request came from Swaraj. Banerjee wrote on April 2 that she "appreciated" the advice and mentioned that she wis- hed to talk over with China in the ultimate week of June. Bengal chief secretary Moloy De and India's ambassador in China Gautam Bambawale chalked out a programme with the political discussion as the pivot. A industry summit in Sanghai was woven into the itinerary to promote industry and trade between China and Bengal.
O fficials mentioned Chinese authorities saved the Bengal govt ready till Thursday over the affirmation of the meetings. "Our ambassador in China informed us that the Chinese side could not confirm the political meetings at an appropriate level," Banerjee mentioned after the travel was cancelled. "Our ambassador requested us for time till 12 noon IST (2.30pm Beijing time) on Friday for a confirmation of the proposed political meetings," she added .
The Bengal govt was additionally involved with international secretary Vijay Gokha- le, who tried to get involved together with his Chinese counterparts, officers mentioned.
The programme facilitates excha- nges between CPC leaders and Indian chief ministers. Many CMs, like Chhattisgarh's Raman Singh, have been to China below this programme.
Banerjee mentioned called-off travel would no longer affect India-China relations.
"Our ambassador in China tried his best to make the programme a success but non-confirmation of political meetings at an appropriate level compelled us to cancel the visit. But I wish the friendship between the two countries continues for mutual benefit," she mentioned.The Chinese consulate in Kolkata mentioned it had "taken note" of the cancelled travel.
"The Chinese side was working hard to prepare for the CM's and was still working on the arrangements and remained in contact with the Indian embassy in China when the cancellation was announced," it mentioned.
Banerjee, who was to leave for an eight-day travel as the top of a 40-member delegation, felt that there was no need going to China with no political discussion with CPC contributors of a "certain level commensurate with her role in Indian politics", Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra mentioned.
Banerjee set her itinerary following a request from international minister Sushma Swaraj three months ago, urging her to lead a delegation to China below the Exchange Programme of the Indian govt and the world division of CPC.
China had invited Banerjee to Beijing but the latter did not company up her plans till the request came from Swaraj. Banerjee wrote on April 2 that she "appreciated" the advice and mentioned that she wis- hed to talk over with China in the ultimate week of June. Bengal chief secretary Moloy De and India's ambassador in China Gautam Bambawale chalked out a programme with the political discussion as the pivot. A industry summit in Sanghai was woven into the itinerary to promote industry and trade between China and Bengal.
O fficials mentioned Chinese authorities saved the Bengal govt ready till Thursday over the affirmation of the meetings. "Our ambassador in China informed us that the Chinese side could not confirm the political meetings at an appropriate level," Banerjee mentioned after the travel was cancelled. "Our ambassador requested us for time till 12 noon IST (2.30pm Beijing time) on Friday for a confirmation of the proposed political meetings," she added .
The Bengal govt was additionally involved with international secretary Vijay Gokha- le, who tried to get involved together with his Chinese counterparts, officers mentioned.
The programme facilitates excha- nges between CPC leaders and Indian chief ministers. Many CMs, like Chhattisgarh's Raman Singh, have been to China below this programme.
Banerjee mentioned called-off travel would no longer affect India-China relations.
"Our ambassador in China tried his best to make the programme a success but non-confirmation of political meetings at an appropriate level compelled us to cancel the visit. But I wish the friendship between the two countries continues for mutual benefit," she mentioned.The Chinese consulate in Kolkata mentioned it had "taken note" of the cancelled travel.
"The Chinese side was working hard to prepare for the CM's and was still working on the arrangements and remained in contact with the Indian embassy in China when the cancellation was announced," it mentioned.
Mamata cancels trip to China at last minute
![Mamata cancels trip to China at last minute]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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June 23, 2018
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