NEW DELHI, Jan 24: India and China kicked off their first strategic dialogue here on Monday, highlighting regional stability as a key objective while sharing the fear that weapons of mass destruction could fall into the hands of non-state players.

The talks between Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran were the first in a series that will look beyond boundary disputes between the Asian rivals and focus on regional and global security issues and growing economic cooperation.

"Among the important international and regional issues discussed were the issues of globalization, democratization of international relations, UN reforms, non-proliferation, terrorism, situation in the Korean Peninsula," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said after Monday's talks.

He said regional cooperation was also discussed, an indication that India's ties with Pakistan were also taken up for review. China was the first country to welcome the announcement of the Nov 2003 cease fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Diplomatic circles have been wanting to get to the bottom of accusations by both sides of the other violating the cease fire during the past week.

"The two countries shared the view that terrorism, in particular the possibility of weapons of mass destruction and sensitive technologies falling in the hands of terrorists, presented a grave threat and recognized the importance of international cooperation in meeting the threat," Mr Sarna said.

"They also agreed that these dangers could not be tackled unilaterally." Both sides also agreed that the current international situation characterized by globalization presented an opportunity as well as posed a challenge.

They agreed that the forthcoming visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to India would be a major milestone in bilateral relations. Both sides indicated their readiness to closely work together to ensure a substantive outcome of the visit.

Several ideas were discussed. It was agreed that discussions between the two foreign ministries would continue to prepare for the visit. The two sides emphasized the need for making international relations democratic.