NEW DELHI, Feb 8 — The second round of the bilateral security dialogue between India and China ended today with the two sides sharing their respective security concerns in regional and international spheres and agreeing to carry forward the dialogue.

Briefing newspersons after the call of the Chinese delegation led by its Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Wang Yi on the Foreign Secretary, Mr Lalit Man Singh, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides agreed that they had a mutuality of interests in carrying forward the dialogue as an important instrument for building trust and confidence with a view to enhancing mutual understanding on issues of regional and international security.

While the two sides had similarity of views on many regional and international issues, including the US attempt to militarise the outer space, the sources said there was an emerging convergence of views on the issue of cross-border and international terrorism.

The Foreign Secretary told the Chinese delegation that efforts should be made to narrow the differences and broaden the friendship.

“It is in this spirit of friendship that we will continue to discuss our concerns and anxieties with each other, Mr Man Singh said adding that relations between India and China had been steadily improving as the two sides had been establishing as many linkages as possible.

Mr Man Singh said in this spirit of friendship India was looking forward to the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Zhu Rongji. The two sides would remain in close touch to work out the mutually convenient dates for the visit, he said.

While the Indian side conveyed concerns over the Chinese supply of missile and nuclear technology to Islamabad, the Chinese side reiterated its stand that Beijing was not supplying missile technology to Islamabad, the sources said.

The issue of granting a refugee status Karmapa: Ogyen Trinley Dorjee also figured during the discussions with the Indian side confirming to the Chinese that he had been given the status which would not permit the lama to undertake any political activity.

The nuclear export control policy of the two countries also figured at the talks, the spokesman said adding that the dialogue process “incrementally enhances mutual understanding and trust”. Both sides decided to invest in the dialogue greater content and profile, the spokesman said adding that the two delegations agreed to maintain regular contacts at bilateral and multilateral levels. The talks were held in free and frank manner and in a friendly atmosphere. The discussions were very useful and helped in clarifying each other’s position on a number of issues, the spokesman said.