NEW DELHI - Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony will leave Thursday on a four-day official visit to China, the first by an Indian defense minister to Beijing since 2006, according to an official release by the Indian government.

Antony will be accompanied by Defense Secretary R.K. Mathur, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command Lt.General Dalbir Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Satish Soni, and others from the defense ministry and the armed forces. ?

Antony will have delegation-level talks with his counterpart, Chinese State Councillor and Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan, said the release. ?

"Both ministers are expected to discuss a number of issues, including those related to maintenance of peace and tranquillity on the border, exchanges and interactions between the armed forces of both sides, and matters relating to regional and global security," the release said.