Deputy National Security Advisor Nehchal Sandhu led the Indian delegation at the talks, chaired by Chinese vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and attended by Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Lukyanov.
Like India, China, too, is concerned over the reemergence of al-Qaeda and its likely impact on Muslim Uygur majority Xinjiang province, that borders Afghanistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir.
China is battling a major separatist movement led by the East Trukistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate group, in the province.
China, which looks to play a major role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops, has invested in mines as well as infrastructure development there.
Replying to a question on today's meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said, “The development of situation in Afghanistan is closely related to the peace and stability in the region”.
“China is ready to work together with all relevant parties to take part in the peaceful reconstruction and reconciliation in Afghanistan, so as to jointly maintain peace and stability,” Hong said.
