MUTUAL TRUST: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Photo: R.V. Moorthy

NEW DELHI: Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday that Beijing's January 11 anti-satellite test (ASAT) was not directed against any country.

Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao told presspersons that in a "suo motu briefing" Mr. Li informed Mr. Mukherjee at Hyderabad House here that ASAT was a technological and scientific endeavour.

Ms. Rao quoted the Chinese Minister as saying that Beijing remained opposed to militarisation of outer space. Mr. Mukherjee, too, reiterated India's opposition to it.

The Ambassador said that the "hotline" between the Foreign Ministers was now in place. The countries were expected to open their new consulates at Guangzhou and Kolkata before the year-end.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna, the discussions lasted about two-and-a-half hours, of which 45 minutes were spent in a "restricted" form of dialogue between Mr. Mukherjee and Mr. Li.

Making a "positive assessment" of the current state of bilateral relations, the Ministers "noted with satisfaction" the progress made in resolving the boundary question. They reiterated their leaders' directive to the Special Representatives to "further intensify" efforts to arrive at a solution.

Expressing satisfaction at the two-way trade touching $25 billion in 2006, the Ministers hoped that the joint task force, set up to conduct a feasibility study on a possible regional trading arrangement would complete its work by October.

The two sides were also working out a calendar of meetings for the multi-faceted discussion mechanisms now in place: a strategic dialogue, a Joint Working Group on the border issue, a security dialogue and a counter-terrorism forum.

Ms. Rao said the Indian side informed the Chinese delegation that it was ready with its list of experts to operationalise the transborder rivers mechanism that was agreed upon during the visit of President Hu Jintao in November 2006.

The two countries agreed to hold at an "early date" discussions to liberalise visa procedures. (Businesspersons and tourists have had problem obtaining visas due to national security considerations .)

Mr. Mukherjee and Mr. Li discussed North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and the West Asian peace process.

According to Ms. Rao, there was a "convergence of views" on the issues. They also agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation at the United Nations.

Mr. Li said that China would send a high-level delegation to the summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation — which it would be attending as an "observer" for the first time.

Asked about China's position on supporting India's case for enhanced civilian nuclear cooperation at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Ms. Rao described it as a "work in progress." Contacts with the Chinese side were going on.

"You are seeing a "mature dialogue unfolding between two equal nations."

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