Centre recommends Nitish to lead a delegation to China

Patna, Mar 07 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs has suggested Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to lead a delegation to China under an exchange programme of high level bilateral visits for deepening and diversifying relations with China.

In his letter to Mr Kumar, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that his ministry was having an exchange programme with the International Department of the Communist Party of China for reciprocal organisation of high level bilateral visits under which senior party functionaries from China (members of the Politburo, the highest decision making organ in China) and Chief Ministers of various states of India would visit each other.

''China is our largest neighbour and the Indian government attach priority to deepening and diversifying relations with it,'' Mr Mukherjee said.

He asked Mr Kumar to consider leading a delegation to China within this year under this exchange programme which provides an opportunity to expose senior political leaders of the two sides to each other's country.

It would also enhance the mutual trust and understanding, an important ingredient for healthy bilateral relations, maintained Mr Mukherjee.

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