Chinese official set for India talks

on 04/09/2012 08:02:04

China's defence minister Liang Guanglie is holding talks with his Indian counterpart amid growing tensions between Beijing and its neighbours over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Mr Liang and Indian defence minister AK Antony are expected discuss resuming regular military ties and progress made on resolving a Himalayan border dispute that led to a brief war in 1962.

Analysts say the talks are also aimed at persuading New Delhi to withdraw from a joint oil exploration venture with Vietnam in disputed South China Sea waters that China claims as its own.

The two ministers will also discuss the security situation in Afghanistan after the drawdown of US-led Nato troops in 2014 and Pakistan's role in arming and supporting Taliban forces threatening to make a comeback in Afghanistan.