A senior Indian minister has expressed confidence India and China can address common concerns and find answers to residual problems through dialogue.
In a wide-ranging interview with the South China Morning Post yesterday, Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh denied New Delhi considered China a threat.
The minister, stopping over in Hong Kong on his way to Japan, pointed out that there was no foundation to the theory India, China and Russia might form a 'new grouping'.
This was despite the fact that on issues such as opposition to Nato expansion the three countries shared similar viewpoints.
On relations with China: India and China are two ancient civilisations. Our relations spanning millennia have enriched our two cultures. In recent times, our bilateral relations have developed and diversified.
During my visit to China in June this year, I had a useful exchange of views with Premier Zhu Rongji and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan. We reached some important conclusions on furthering the confidence-building measures process, initiating a security dialogue, further enhancing our cultural, economic and functional co-operation and jointly celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations.
We have some difficulties and concerns. We seek a relationship in which both sides would be responsive to each other's concerns. We would like such concerns to be addressed in a meaningful manner.