Chinese Defence Minister gifts Rs. 1 lakh to Indian Air Force pilots

[David James]

Major protocol breach: Chinese Defence Minister gifts Rs. 1 lakh to Indian Air Force pilots


New Delhi: In a major breach of protocol, visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guang Lie handed out Rs. 50,000 each to two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots on Monday.

Two Embraer and an Avro aircraft were sent to Mumbai to fetch the delegation to Delhi for the talks. These aircraft were from the communication squadron of the IAF which is tasked to ferry senior officials and dignitaries including the Indian Prime Minister and the President.

The normal custom is to hand over mementos by the visiting delegation; money is never handed over. IAF officials said when Indian dignitaries travel on these aircraft for foreign trips, they gift ties and other small mementos as a token of appreciation to the aircraft crew.

The money was handed over to pilots as mementos in two packets. Once the pilots opened the packets and realised that money had given they informed the IAF headquarters which in turn has written to Ministry of Defence. The money will be deposited in the Government treasury tomorrow morning. Sources said the money could not be returned to the Chinese Defence Minister due to sensitivities involved in it.

General Guang, who is on a five-day India visit, arrived in Mumbai on Sunday. The Defence Ministry had provided its aircraft for the inland travel of the visiting Minister.

Yesterday, before the beginning of the delegation-level talks, the Chinese Minister had thanked his Indian counterpart A K Antony for the arrangements made by India for him and his entourage.

Major protocol breach: Chinese Defence Minister gifts Rs 1 lakh to Indian Air Force pilots | NDTV.com

 

[Tshering22]

I am sure that Sonia would lap it up calling it a breach of protocols.

 

[FRANCIS]

Chinese working quite hard to entertain us and stabilise its relation with Indians .

 

[David James]

The media should not make this a big issue as

1. When Indian dignitaries goes abroad they also do the same.

2. The IAF pilots were not aware of the content of the sealed packets. IAF pilots have done a good job of informing their higher ups.

3. After opening it they informed the seniors in the IAF and IAF have informed the ministry of Defence.

4. Now the money is deposited with the govt. of India's treasury.

5. china may be the enemy but we must not return the gift as its against the Indian traditions to offend the guest or return the gift.

The matter should be closed.

 

[FRANCIS]

Chinese working quite hard to entertain us and stabilize its relation with Indians .

 

[acetophenol]

Thats just some misunderstanding,hope both govts handle matter maturely.

 

[Paan Singh]

i thought 1 lakh dollars ..

otherwise i would have gone to pick up chini minister

 

[joekrish]

It's a gift and should be treated as one, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[peep]

cheapos.. it's not even equal to a month's salary..

 

[isro2222]

Its less then one month salary of single pilot....

 

[Uchiha]

Sounds more like bheek than gift

 

[JanjaWeed]

is it real or chinese?

 

[Wet Shirt Contest]

Sounds more like bheek than gift

Yea! You guys are Experts in Bheeks , be Proud of it

 

[IndoCarib]

^^^^
who knows more on 'bheek' than you !

 

[xyxmt]

I guess Chinese were told that everyone in India accept Bukhshish, they thought 98lbs pilots can use some food money