Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil left for China on a five-day visit Tuesday evening to discuss security issues and to forge closer bilateral ties on combating terrorism, which has become a global problem.

Besides terrorism, closer cooperation between the police of the two countries to tackle border crimes and holding regular exchanges to share expertise on law and order will be discussed between Patil and the Chinese leaders.

"We have a common stand against international terrorism and it is a common problem that affects both countries," Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi said Tuesday while referring to the minister's visit.

Patil's visit comes ahead of a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York on September 14. The two leaders are likely to discuss an entire swathe of bilateral issues.

The cooperation in security issues is an extension of growing military cooperation between the two countries that have conducted joint exercises between them.

There is a proposal to invite friendly countries like Russia to observe the next joint military exercise.

"We are trying to promote brotherly exchanges between the Indian and Chinese military. In October, a volleyball tournament will be organized between border guards of the two countries," Sun added.

"Border guards are dancing and singing together. There is no tension at the border," he said, underlining the new camaraderie in Sino-Indian relations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2005)