India on Tuesday told China that outer space should be kept free of weapons as Beijing sought to allay concerns in New Delhi about its recent anti-satellite missile test, saying it was carried out only for scientific reasons and was not targeted against any country.

The Chinese position was conveyed during talks visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi.

The Chinese side provided a "suo motu briefing" on the issue, India's envoy in Beijing Nirupama Rao told journalists.

Li stressed that China was against weaponisation of outer space and the recent test was "purely of technological and scientific nature," she said.

The Chinese side assured that the test was not directed against any country, she said.

Mukherjee emphasised that India was opposed to weaponisation of outer space, which should be preserved as a "common peaceful heritage."

Mukherjee said that the international community should evolve a legal framework to prevent weaponisation of space.

Asked whether India was satisfied with the Chinese assurance, Rao said the dialogue on the issue was ongoing and more consultations will take place in future.