Not worried about border dispute with China: Arun Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is not worried about the border dispute with China and claims it is borne out of unsettled border.

In an interview with Zee Business channel, Jaitley said these were the consequences of unsettled border. "This has happened before and situations such as these keep recurring. No bullet is fired, but stand-offs happen. But then they also dissolve. I hope this will get resolved soon," he said.

On the question of US's changed stand on H-1B policy, Jaitley said India will definitely take up the issue with the US administration at an opportune time. The channel pointed that the PM could not discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump during his visit, despite concerns. The NASSCOM projections, too, paint a gloomy picture, and therefore India will have to raise the issue with the US at some point of time and with much seriousness. Jaitley tried to calm the nerves saying the government was seized of the matter.

"These people are not illegal migrants. They are highly skilled labour and could have gone anywhere in the world. They have contributed to the US economy. To compare them with illegal migrants will be quite unfair," Jaitley said.

When asked about the government's stand-off with Reserve Bank of India over lowering of interest rates, Jaitley denied there was any stand-off.

"Every government wants the interest rates to be a little lower so that the growth rate goes up. But any final decision on this is made by the RBI, and I am not in favour of tampering with the RBI's right," he said.

He pointed out that the currency was stable and price rise was also under control, and therefore the government was hopeful that the interest rates will be lowered. But he reiterated that it was a call that will be made by the RBI.