New Delhi:
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is on a three day visit to India, said Thursday that he had come here to expand bilateral strategic ties between the two countries.
Wen, who was given a ceremonial welcome by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, said: "I am confident of India-China ties. We will be able to reach strategic consensus."
"I have come to India to expand cooperation, deepen friendship and strengthen people to people exchange," he added.
Wen landed in Delhi for a three-day visit on Wednesday afternoon.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and China's Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks in New Delhi today and a series of contentious issues are expected to be discussed.
Sources say India will raise the issue of stapled visas for Kashmiris, Chinese presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and also the boundary issue.
India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is also likely to come up in the discussions. China has not yet backed India's bid for the UNSC seat. However, Beijing has assured that the visa row will be resolved.
During the talks, the Chinese Premier is expected to push for better economic ties and trade links.
A joint statement is expected after the talks are over.