06 May 2013

News Story: India foreign minister hints may cancel China trip


India's foreign minister has hinted he could cancel a planned trip to Beijing if no progress is made in resolving a row over an alleged incursion by Chinese troops deep inside Indian-claimed territory.

The reported Chinese infiltration across the disputed Himalayan border has strained ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours whose relations have long been chequered by mutual suspicion -- a legacy of a 1962 border war.

"I can't say we have satisfaction (from Beijing) at this stage," said foreign minister Salman Khurshid who announced last week he would head for China on May 8 to discuss the standoff.

Speaking to Indian television channels while travelling to Iran on an official visit, Khurshid said in news footage aired Saturday that New Delhi was "keeping channels of communications open".

The minister, who has declared both countries have a mutual interest in not allowing the dispute to "destroy" long-term progress in ties, said his trip to Beijing was still on.

But he suggested he might reconsider his travel plans if there is no progress in resolving the dispute.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily