India hopes for early resumption of defence dialogue with China

New Delhi, Nov. 29 (ANI): Despite the sudden postponement of the Sino-India border talks, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday said that the upcoming defence dialogue with China was on the right track, and would be resumed soon.

Dismissing all speculations, Krishna asserted that the India-China defence dialogue would take place as planned.

"Well, I think we expect that whatever is in the pipeline, I think that will be continued," he told mediapersons on the sidelines of the Annual Passport Officers' Conference 2011.

In the meeting, special representatives India and China were expected to discuss a plan to put in place a mechanism for border management mooted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his visit to India last year.ndian Ambassador to China, S. Jaishankar, who was scheduled to be here for the talks, came to New Delhi despite the postponement of the dialogue.

Krishna maintained that Jaishankar's visit had been fruitful.

"Well, our Ambassador in China was in India for consultations with the Foreign Office. He had also come fully prepared to assist the government if talks were to be held between the special representatives who are looking into the borders of India and China," said Krishna.

"Even though the talks are postponed. Ambassador's visit served a useful purpose of exchanging views," he added.

The External Affairs Ministry had issued a terse statement on the postponement, saying "we are looking forward to the 15th round of Special Representative Talks in the near future and the two sides remain in touch to find convenient dates for the meeting."

The decision to postpone the talks came soon after the Chinese government raised objections to the presence of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at a Buddhist function in India.

Many feared that the postponement marked the beginning of a rift in ties, and would throw other planned engagements between India and China in limbo.

In his interaction with the media, Krishna was asked question on the issue of safety of nuclear weapons in Pakistan.

"We do not comment on the internal affairs of another country and this is something which has to be sorted out among themselves. Well, we deal with the government and we go along with the assurances that are given to us by the government of Pakistan," he said.

The safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal has been a matter of concern after a group of militants laid siege to a heavily guarded naval air base a few months ago. (ANI)