NEW DELHI : A day before Chinese President Hu Jintao arrives here on a four-day visit, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Sunday evening that India was willing to discuss the issue of civilian nuclear cooperation with China.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu , Mr. Mukherjee remarked: "We will discuss many other issues — this [civilian nuclear cooperation] could be one of the issues." President Hu's trip to India was a "major visit" — the first by a Chinese President in 10 years.

Mr. Mukherjee hoped that the anti-terror mechanism with Pakistan would produce results. He said a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri was "likely."

Asked whether civilian nuclear cooperation with China could extend beyond the Nuclear Suppliers Group since Beijing had supplied nuclear fuel for the Tarapur plant in 1995, he replied: "The possibilities are there. But it will depend on how we respond to each other's suggestions."

On whether there was enough space for the peaceful rise of India and China, he said, "There is enough space. Both of us can grow and there is no need of being competitive, we can be cooperative."

On a recent report in The Washington Post that the United States was aiding India's rise as a counter-weight to China, he said: "It is our firm conviction that friendship with one country is not dependent on friendship with another country."

"We are interested in building a good relationship with all countries in our near and extended neighbourhood," he said.

Mr. Mukherjee felt there could be difference of views between two countries, but that did not mean they could not cooperate in other areas. India and China could move ahead in trade and economic development. Asked if the border question would come up during talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Hu, he said this was being dealt with by a "specialised body" — the mechanism of Special Representatives.

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