New Delhi, Aug 7 - India and China Friday began two-day talks here Friday to find 'a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution' to their complex boundary dispute and hoped the discussions would further strengthen their 'strategic partnership'.

The Indian delegation at the 13th round of boundary talks is headed by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, while the Chinese team is led by China's State Counselor and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, a former ambassador to Beijing, and officials of the external affairs ministry and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) were also part of the Indian delegation.

Besides Dai, the Chinese delegation had Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and officials of the defence ministry and department of boundary and ocean affairs.

Dai's visit to India is the first high-level visit from China after the United Progressive Alliance formed a new government in May after winning the general elections.

The talks will focus on devising a framework that will enable the two countries to delineate the final boundary between them.

'The government attaches high priority to our relations with China. We are not only neighbours, but we also enjoy a strategic and cooperative partnership,' Narayanan said as the two sides began the delegation-level talks.

Narayanan said he was confident the discussions would lead to 'further strengthening' of 'the multi-faceted relationship' between the two countries.

China is willing to make joint efforts with India in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the issue, a spokeswoman of the Chinese foreign ministry said in Beijing Friday.