India Has An Intrinsic Link In The World: Khurshid

"We have understood, and I think China understands this as well, there will not be any dramatic changes in our positions; but incrementally we have to improve, and incrementally we have improved," he said in the interview published today in ISAS newsletter "South Asia".

"This is the latest version of cooperation on the border to prevent any untoward incident becoming an issue between us," he said, referring to India’s new border pact with China.

"So, at the same time, in parallel, we are actually talking in the Special Representatives [forum]; we have done 16 rounds. We are talking about the basic principles followed by the basic format by which we will be able to find a resolution. We know that it can’t be done in a hurry. China knows it can’t be done in a hurry," he said.

Khurshid pointed out that nothing would prevent rapid engagement with China in any of the other fields in which India has no differences with the neighbouring country.

The Minister also made it clear that China-India relations were on its own just as U.S.-India relations were on its own, dismissing any suggestion of linkage.

"We will never be allies of the US; we will be friends, strategic partners, not allies.

"And similarly we will be strategic partners with China; hopefully, we will become friends with China when all our issues are resolved; we have a very good working relationship with them, but we have things to resolve with them," he added.

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