Khurshid compares China with ATM machine

'Sometimes it is said that maybe India is not assertive enough. But a softly-softly approach leads to the desired change, without upheavals'

Salman Khurshid
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Jun 14 2013 | 9:44 PM IST
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today compared a "business like" China to an ATM machine while he described India as a "softly-softly" nation which stressed on long-term development partnerships.

Speaking at the first-ever India Day at Oxford University, Khurshid in reference to the theme of the event, 'India - A political economy for the 21st Century' described India as a "softly-softly" nation.

"Sometimes it is said that maybe India is not assertive enough. But a softly-softly approach leads to the desired change, without upheavals. We do not assert ourselves by intruding, dictating or imposing. It is an approach that has worked for us in the region (South Asia) and globally," said the minister.

"To some extent India's engagement with the world is also dictated by its culture. An important part of our foreign policy is that development partnerships come first. China is much more business-like; an ATM cash-in and leave. India has a longer haul approach," he added.

India and China, the world's two most populous and fastest developing countries, are competing with each other in their search for resources and new markets.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 14 2013 | 9:43 PM IST

Next Story