"Scheduling Reasons": China On Not Attending Delhi Security Dialogue

India will host top security officials of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries for a security dialogue on Afghanistan.

China said on Tuesday that it is not attending the security dialogue on Afghanistan convened by India due to "scheduling reasons".

India will host the security officials from Russia, Iran and five Central Asian countries for a security dialogue on Afghanistan on Wednesday that will explore firming up a common approach for practical cooperation in confronting increasing threats of terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August.

"Due to scheduling reasons, it is inconvenient for China to attend the meeting," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing in Beijing when asked about reasons why China is not attending the 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan' hosted by India.

"We have already given our reply to the Indian side," Mr Wang said.