New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee left on June 22 for a six-day visit to China. Vajpayee told reporters at the airport that building better ties with Beijing would top his agenda during the visit.

"We give priority to India's relations with China. Both the countries have very old traditions and civilisations. Both the countries want to progress. I am sure that in this connection, my visit would be fruitful," Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee would be holding talks with Chinese leaders, which he believe would lead to a better understanding and trust between New Delhi and Beijing.

Vajpayee's visit would mark an Indian Prime Minister's fourth visit to China in more than 50 years. While the vexed boundary dispute is expected to figure prominently in the talks this time, economic ties may just dominate the agenda.

India and China are still trying to agree to final demarcation of their 4,500 km border, which stretches through remote and mountainous terrain.

Beijing also does not recognise the accession of the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim to India. The world's most populous, the two nations have fought a brief border war in 1962 which India tamely lost but the two sides have warmed up since the Eighties.

"There are talks going on about the borders and we want that these talks should go on. But other issues such as trade relations will also be discussed," Vajpayee said.

ANI