Narendra Modi (file photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's Premier Li Keqiang via telephone on Thursday afternoon. Mr Modi and Premier Li agreed to maintain frequent communication between the two countries. Mr Modi also extended an invitation to both Premier Li and President Li Jinping to visit India.
Here is the full statement:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the telephone to H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China this afternoon at the latter's initiative. Premier Li congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his victory in the recent general elections and conveyed the Chinese government's desire to establish robust partnership with the new government of India for further development of relations between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi thanked Premier Li for his message of felicitations. Noting that China was always a priority in India's foreign policy, he underlined his government's resolve to utilize the full potential of our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China and his keenness to work closely with the Chinese leadership to deal with any outstanding issues in our bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of our developmental goals and long-term benefits to our peoples. He welcomed greater economic engagement between the two countries.
The two leaders agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and communication. Prime Minister Modi extended through Premier Li an invitation to President Xi Jinping to pay a visit to India later this year.
Prime Minister Modi's telephone conversation with Premier Li was his first with a foreign Head of Government since taking over as Prime Minister of India.