NEW DELHI: India and China have agreed to maintain the pace of their high-level exchanges in counter- terrorism and other fields after "friendly and open" discussions between their National Security Advisors.
NSA Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, State Councilor, concluded their discussions in Hyderabad yesterday in a "friendly, open and cordial environment", it was officially stated here today.
Ministry of External Affairs said their discussions covered a wide agenda spanning bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. It was Yang's third visit to India in the last two months.
"The two sides agreed to maintain the pace of high-level exchanges in political, economic, defence and counter- terrorism fields.
"They also agreed that the forthcoming high-level engagement in counter-terrorism is yet another manifestation of growing convergence of views of two countries on this pressing challenge facing international community", it said.
However, there was no official confirmation on whether the two sides discussed contentious issues such as China blocking India's entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group as also stopping Indian efforts to get JeM chief and Pathankot mastermind Masood Azhar getting banned by the UN.
NSA Doval and State Councillor Yang, who are also the Special Representatives on the Boundary Question of India and China respectively, agreed to hold the 20th Round of Special Representatives Talks on the Boundary Question in India next year.
Doval and Yang also agreed that their consultations during which they exchanged views on various important and pressing bilateral issues have helped to enhance mutual understanding and will contribute to greater mutual trust.
They agreed to continue such consultations in future.
The two sides also appreciated that 2016 is an important year for bilateral engagement with President Xi Jinping's visit to India for BRICS Summit and PM Narendra Modi's visit to China for G-20 Summit being the major highlights of high level exchanges.
Meanwhile, Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency termed the talks between Doval and Yang as an "informal meeting".
During the meeting, both sides agreed to push forward their talks on boundary issues so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in their border areas, it said.
The report quoted Yang as saying that China is willing to maintain communication and dialogue at various levels, promote pragmatic cooperation of mutual benefit and properly handle sensitive issues with India.
While congratulating India on its successful hosting of the BRICS summit in Goa, Yang said China is ready to join hands with India to defend the interests of developing countries and boost international exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
Doval expressed India's willingness to maintain high-level exchanges of visits and strategic communication with China, and deepen their trade and cultural exchanges and cooperation, the report said.
He said New Delhi is also willing to properly manage and address differences with Beijing in order to promote mutual benefit and win-win, as well as common development of the two countries, the report added.
India supports China in hosting the BRICS summit next year and is ready to make joint efforts with China to contribute to the regional and world peace, stability and development, the report quoted Doval as saying.