Pranab leaves for China tomorrow

New Delhi, Jun 3 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will visit China for four days from tomorrow for talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The visit, the first high-level political exchange between the two countries after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tour from January 13 to 15, will provide an opportunity for both countries to have discussions on the border issue, Myanmar and Tibet.

Mr Jaswant Singh was the last External Affairs Minister to visit China on a bilateral visit from March 29 to April 2 in 2002.

Mr Mukherjee will visit Guangzhou and Beijing, an External Ministry spokesman said.

''In Beijing, he will have discussions with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest,'' the spokesman said.

He will also call on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

The External Affairs Minister will inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Guangzhou.

UNI SN RL HT1909