We would have liked a better response from China, says Khurshid

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s visit to Beijing next week is under a cloud as he says the progress in the dialogue to end the stand-off in Ladakh is not satisfactory.

Mr. Khurshid, who is scheduled to travel to Beijing on May 9, gave clear indications of uncertainty over the visit, saying that as of now a review was not done, but “what will happen tomorrow, one can’t predict today.”

India would have liked a “much better response” from China, he said, emphasising that it wanted reversal of the “adverse incident” in Ladakh and return to the status quo in the Depsang Valley where Chinese troops have intruded.

“We haven’t reviewed at this stage. We have not found it necessary. We have not... reached that stage of review,” he told reporters on way to Iran, asked whether his visit to Beijing was under review. “We haven’t found any reason to review our schedules as of now.”

Asked whether there was any certainty over his going ahead with the visit, Mr. Khurshid said: “The word certainty is not a good word to use in human affairs. What will happen tomorrow one can’t predict today.”

He was evasive despite repeated queries, but sources said the visit would “not be worthwhile” if there was no progress in the talks taking place at various levels.

Earlier, in Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Mr. Khurshid’s visit and said both nations were committed to resolving the dispute over the presence of People’s Liberation Army’s troops in the Depsang Valley through talks. Mr. Khurshid would meet Chinese leaders and hold talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.