Intelligence sharing on Patil’s China agenda

Ministry officials said Patil will discuss issues of mutual interest with China in areas such as disaster management, public security and training of police and paramilitary forces. But the Home Minister, who precedes National Security Advisor M K Narayanan to China, will not take up the issue of border dispute resolution with China, the officials said.

Patil has been invited by Chinese Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang. Besides Zhou, Patil is likely to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the Shanghai mayor, visit Beijing police training academy and attend a meeting on emergency response to calamities.

“The Home Minister’s visit is part of the process of continuing high-level bilateral exchanges. It will further develop bilateral relations with China in accordance with the declaration of June 2003 and the joint statement of April 2005,” the officials said.