Beijing: China-India relations have “strategic significance” and “global impact” as both are large developing countries and emerging markets, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told India’s visiting External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here yesterday.
Later, Khurshid met Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who also pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Premier Li highlighted the importance the new Chinese government places on developing ties with India, Xinhua reported.
He said China would like to enhance political trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen people-to-people understanding and expand communication on international and regional issues so as to develop their strategic partnership.
Last week, intense negotiations between India and China saw an end to a 20-day stand-off, with troops of both sides pulling back to their respective positions prior to April 15 — when Chinese forces intruded 19 km inside the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.
“Friendly cooperation is central to China-India relations and common interests outweigh differences,” Li told Khurshid.
He said China would like to negotiate with India to settle border issues and create favourable conditions for bilateral cooperation and development.
On his part, Khurshid said developing relations benefitted both sides and promoted regional and global peace and prosperity.
India would like to work with China to send a positive signal of mutual trust and support to the world, as well as effectively control differences and resolve border issues, he said.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi also pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries. He said development of bilateral ties in recent years had brought concrete benefits to both countries.
IANS
