New Delhi, Oct 27 : Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was improving compared to the past, and expressed the hope that it would improve further in the coming days.

"The situation is improving. Compared to the past, the situation is much better.  As the situation improves we will take all possible measures to improve the atmosphere there and we will try to find a solution to many of their genuine difficulties," Antony said on the sidelines of a cultural programme organised to mark the Foundation Day of Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) here.

Commenting on the border dispute with China, Antony said that talks were on to resolve the longstanding issue.

He further said that whenever the government saw "something serious" taking place around the disputed region, it takes the required steps.

"There's nothing to panic, the process will continue. We are always alert, we put in our interest, we don't compromise on our interest, we are trying to find a solution to border disputes through dialogues, Eleventh round is over, there is some progress, we will continue the efforts," he added.

Early this week, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said during his China visit that the two sides have decided to set up a working group to prepare the framework arrangement to resolve the border dispute.

He said that the 11th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China held in Beijing from 24th-26th September decided to set up the working group.

The Special Representatives of the two countries, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, held the discussions on the framework for the settlement of the India-China boundary issues.

The two sides have held several rounds of talks over their border dispute, but have been unable to report progress, even though bilateral ties have improved on the back of strong business links.

New Delhi and Beijing have differences over three main stretches of the Himalayan frontier in the east, central and western parts, with the latter not recognising the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh on the eastern stretch as Indian territory.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the growing trade between them. The total trade between India and China has reached 30 billion dollars.

After the European Union and the US, China has become the third largest trading partner of India. (ANI)