After blocking India's international ambitions, China is seeking New Delhi's help on the South China Sea issue. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be visiting India on a three-day tour from August 12. Wang's specific mission objective is to persuade the Indian leadership on refraining from becoming a part of any possible discussion on the issue at the meet.

While pleading for help from India, China refused to back India's case for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and there were incursions by Chinese troops in the Ladakh border area.

Wang is embarking on a three-nation tour that includes Kenya and Uganda from August 9, the China's state media quoted that the foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying as saying. He will meet Minister of External Affiars Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi besides Kenyan foreign minister Amina Mohamed. One of Wang's tasks during the upcoming New Delhi visit is to prepare the ground for a successful Modi-Xi meeting.

During his three-day stay, Yi will hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on August 13, in which key regional and bilateral issues will also be discussed, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue.

China is extremely worried that many countries including the United States would raise the issue after an international tribunal rejected Beijing's claims over the ownership of much of the sea area. The ruling came after Philippines challenging Beijing's claim over much of the sea area at a tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas.

Beijing is worried by the guarded response from India, which said that the UN convention should be effectively implemented and all the relevant parties should cooperate in the effort. It does not want a discussion on the subject at G20 and wants India to not to join any country which is seeking a discussion.

By Premji