Beijing: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on June 23 conveyed to China his serious concern that Pakistan was not putting an end to cross-border terrorism aimed against India, which was essential for stability in the region.

During an hour-long interaction with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, the Prime Minister said without mincing words that Pakistan, China's close ally, should bring to an end cross-border terrorism "as quickly as possible".

Briefing reporters on the talks, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said Vajpayee also expressed "our disappointment at the fact that this (stoppage to cross-border terrorism) is not happening."

The Chinese Premier, Sinha said, commended the hand of friendship extended by Vajpayee to Pakistan.

China conveyed to the Indian side that it wanted peaceful resolution of differences in South Asia for the stability of the region and the rest of the world, Sinha said.

Voicing "satisfaction" at the progress made during the wide-ranging talks of Vajpayee with the Chinese leadership, Sinha said Wen observed that the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing in 1979 as Foreign Minister helped "break the ice" in the Sino-Indian relationship.

"This visit will usher in a new era in bilateral ties", the External Affairs Minister said, adding that Wen fully shared Vajpayee's view that the two neighbours should now discuss all issues as "friends".

PTI