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May 20, 2013

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Li hails India as an important partner and friend

CHINESE Premier Li Keqiang arrived in New Delhi yesterday afternoon on the first leg of his maiden foreign trip since he took office in March.

Li met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and was due to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari, chairman of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's Parliament. He is also expected to deliver a speech on China-India ties and visit India's commercial capital Mumbai.

The two countries will also sign a series of agreements on cooperation in trade, agriculture, environmental protection and culture.

In a written statement issued on his arrival, the premier hailed the development of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1950.

He said in the statement that cooperation between China and India means the two great civilizations can learn from each other, the two major markets complement each other, the two major emerging economies fulfil common development, and the two neighboring countries achieve mutual benefit.

It is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples that China and India maintain peaceful and friendly relations and join hands to realize national rejuvenation, Li said, adding it is also a blessing to Asia and the world at large.

China regarded India as an important partner and friend, he said.

"I am looking forward to exchanging views with Indian leaders on bilateral ties and regional and global issues of common concern," Li added.

Li also expressed confidence that his visit would strengthen mutual trust, deepen cooperation, expand common interests and consolidate bilateral friendship, which would inject new vigor into the China-India strategic cooperative partnership.

China's foreign ministry said it is hoped the visit could further cement the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in fields such as investment, trade and infrastructure, explore complementary advantages and achieve mutually beneficial results.

Trade between China and India has grown strongly in recent years, with a total volume reaching US$66.5 billion in 2012.

China has become India's second largest trade partner and India is China's largest trade partner in South Asia. The two sides aim to expand bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2015.

After India, Li will visit Pakistan, Switzerland and Germany.





 

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