”[W]here [former US President Richard] Nixon had used China to balance the Soviet Union, Bush was using India to balance China. Like Nixon's move, with hindsight Bush's approach to India made perfect sense.” Bill Emmott, the former editor of The Economist, in The Rivals

”Our boundary is peaceful and we are determined to keep it so," China's official Xinhua News agency quoted Mukherjee as saying. "While we may have our differences, we will not let them become obstacles to the broadening and deepening of our relationship.” Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Minister

”The US is adopting various means to draw the country into a strategic partnership. They have a purpose, an aim. It wants India to act as its outpost in the region to counter balance China. We want India and China to stay together. ” A B Bardhan, general secretary, CPI