Diplomats from China and India on Thursday held their first discussion on Afghanistan security issues, according to a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Both sides agreed that Afghanistan's situation is closely related to regional security and stability and talks between China and India will be conducive to enhancing mutual coordination and cooperation, spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

Both sides reiterated that they would like to help Afghanistan achieve peace, stability, independence and development in cooperation with other countries in the region and the international community, as well as support the country's reconciliation process, according to Hua.

Both sides will continue to discuss the matter, Hua said.

Luo Zhaohui, head of the Asian Affairs Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Y.K. Sinha, additional secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, co-chaired the talks, Hua said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2013)