New Delhi, August 28 2010: Relations between India and China hit a new low Friday with New Delhi issuing a strong protest after Beijing refused visa to one of its top army commanders serving in Kashmir.

New Delhi also cancelled subsequent visits by other Indian Army officials to the neighbouring country.

China denied entry to Lt Gen B.S.Jaswal, general officer commanding-in-chief of northern area command, saying he was responsible for Jammu and Kashmir, a state that Beijing considers as disputed.

His visa was denied when as part of a high-level exchange visit to China in August, Jaswal was nominated by the Indian defence ministry.

Last year, India protested against a Chinese embassy policy of issuing different visas to residents of Kashmir.

New Delhi bristles at any hint that Kashmir, where it is struggling to control a pro-independence uprising, is not part of India.

"While we value our exchanges with China, there must be sensitivity to each others' concerns.

Our dialogue with China on these issues is ongoing," a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

Miffed by the visa denial, India however does not seem to be in favor of full-fledged confrontation with China.

Defence minister AK Antony maintained that defence ties will not be snapped with China over the incident.

"It is not the question of breaking defence ties with China.

We have close ties with China though there could be some problems occasionally," Antony told reporters at Hyderabad.

"Short-term problems would not affect India's overall approach towards China.," he added.

Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yang on Friday reportedly met External Affairs Ministry officials against the backdrop of the latest row.

Despite decades of mistrust, China is now India's biggest trade partner.

The value of bilateral deals was expected to pass USD 60 billion this year, a 30-fold increase since 2000, raising the stakes in maintaining peace.

India however has very limited military ties with China, mainly focused on visits by respective military chiefs and government officials and occasional war exercises.

India has plans to send troops to China next year for an annual bilateral army exercise called "Hand-in-Hand.

The army has also reacted strongly to the denial of visa.

The news reports quoting army sources said the army was waiting for guidance from the government on whether protocol for border meetings will change now.

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