China keen to work with new Indian leadership to enhance ties

Beijing, May 27: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government took office, China today expressed keen interest to establish high-level contacts with India's new leadership at the earliest to step up engagement in political, trade and economic areas.

"China attaches high importance to relations with India and is ready to work with the new Indian government to maintain high-level contacts," China's influential State Councillor Yang Jiechi told India's Ambassador Ashok K Kantha during a meeting here.

China was reportedly keen that a top Indian leader attends the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Panchasheel, the five principles enunciated jointly by former prime minster Jawaharlal Nehru and his then Chinese counterpart Zhou Enlai.

The event in which leaders of China, India and Myanmar are expected to participate is slated to be held in China on June 28. Also the Chinese President Xi Jinping who took over last year has expressed interest to visit India after the swearing-in of the new government.

Last year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made New Delhi his first stop abroad after he took over the high office to convey the importance China's leadership attached to improving relations with India. Modi's first trip abroad will be keenly watched here.

Yesterday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang congratulated Modi after he was sworn-in. China views India as a "natural cooperative partner" and it is ready to work with the new Narendra Modi-led government to take their strategic cooperative partnership to a "new level", Li said.

He is expected to speak to Modi over phone in the next few days as efforts are underway to find a mutually convenient time, officials said. During his meeting with Kantha, Yang -- who is also the Special Representative for Sino-Indian border dispute and China's pointsman of India -- expressed Beijing's interest to strengthen cooperation and communication in all areas.

"China would like to keep the good momentum in developing bilateral ties, and contribute to the peace and progress of Asia and the world," Yang was quoted by China's official news agency Xinhua as saying.

PTI