Pranab Mukherjee shows angst to Chinese Foreign Min

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New Delhi: Disappointed with China at the NSG meet in Vienna, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee expressed his unhappiness to the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister.

But can India really afford a confrontation with China for long?

The Chinese Finance Minister, Yang Jiechi said, "We didn't do anything to block it. Rather we played a constructive role. So I am surprised by some reports."

China absolutely denies that it had tried to sabotage the waiver for India at the NSG .

But a senior Indian diplomat confirmed to CNN IBN that in Vienna China was adamant that there should be no exception made for India.

It demanded the NSG form a set of criteria and also seemed to be making a case for Pakistan by saying that the same terms should apply for Pakistan.

It warned the NSG that the waiver would upset the power balance in South Asia and may also weaken the non proliferation regime.

The Indian diplomat was clear that China's actions contradicted President Hu Jintao's promise to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that his country would play a constructive role at the NSG.

The diplomat said, "We accept there is limited convergence of interest between us but we need to work with them in international fora on trade, climate change and energy issues. There is no need to confront China at a time when we are emerging as a power in South Asia."

Nevertheless, the sense of betrayal was enough for Pranab Mukherjee to convey his unhappiness and disappointment to the visiting minister personally.

Former diplomat Arundhati Ghose said, "India is disappointed. There is certainly a cooling. And that is going to be felt, whether it is the call on the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister. Normally, they do go about abusing each other."

While this episode reinforces India's mistrust and suspicion in the Chinese, in the days ahead, the Indian diplomats will tread carefully. The relationship with China requires sensitive handling.

(With inputs from Paarull)