Hotline between Indian, Chinese Foreign Ministers operationalised

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) India and China today operationalised Hotline between their Foreign Ministers with both countries resolving to carry forward the strategic partnership and strive for political resolution of their long-standing border dispute.

China also conveyed to India that its recent satellite -busting missile test was just a ''scientific and technological'' move and not directed towards any country.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing who met for talks here today, expressed satisfaction at the progress in talks on the strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the two-and-a-half hour discussions, they also expressed satisfaction at the way talks between the Special Representatives of the two countries on boundary dispute was going and reiterated intensification of the dialogue for a political settlement of the dispute.

The two sides also discussed the Iran situation, the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and Afghanistan and agreed to maintain close contact on the developing situation.

India's Ambassador to China, Mrs Nirupama Rao, said at a press conference here that the Chinese side gave a ''suo motu'' explanation of the satellite-busting missile test and assured that it was just a 'scientific and technological move'' and not directed against any country.

She said both sides discussed the modalities of the hotline between the two Foreign Ministers which was was ''now in place.'' MORE UNI