India-China discuss issues of mutual importance in Delhi

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhen here today.

The Indian Foreign Secretary is said to have raised contentious issues of waters and border incursions by the Chinese troops during her interaction with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister.

The dialogue between the two sides is also said to have reviewed the progress on negotiations on the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement.

This was the first interaction of the Indian Foreign Secretary with senior Chinese officials led by Liu Zhen on crucial bilateral issues.

The strategic dialogue comes barely days after the first India-China dialogue on Central Asia that was held in Beijing on August 12-13 during which the two sides discussed crucial issues like regional security, terrorism and energy security.

The dialogue between the two sides will set the tone for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to China later this year.