China and India have agreed to maintain high-level exchange to enhance cooperation in all the critical areas. This was decided at a meeting between top security advisors of both countries.

The latest meeting between India's National Security Advisors (NSA) and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi in Hyderabad was reportedly the third meeting between them in two months.

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"The two sides agreed to maintain the pace of high-level exchanges in political, economic, defense and counter-terrorism fields," said a statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday. "They also agreed that the forthcoming high-level engagement in counterterrorism is yet another manifestation of growing convergence of views of two countries on this pressing challenge facing international community."

Both security advisors decided to conduct their 20^th meeting on boundary issues in India next year. The unresolved border issues in the region of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh are expected to be discussed at this meeting.  

However, MEA's statement made no mention of the dispute over India's bid to join the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) and the impasse between both nations over blacklisting Masood Azhar at the United Nations. Both issues have put a great strain on India-China diplomatic relationship over the past few months.

Indian media reports, meanwhile, suggests that China has agreed to soften its stand on the Masood Azhar issue. If the reports are true, it will help India in getting UN sanctions against Masood Azhar and his organization Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Experts say Beijing's stand on the Masood Azhar and NSG issues reflect the mistrust and disharmony between both nations.

China and India fought a war in 1962 to settle their border disputes. Following the bitter war, Beijing's decision to become a staunch ally of India's arch rival - Pakistan - has further complicated their bilateral relationship.  

TagsChina and India, India, Masood Azhar., NSG, Ajit Doval