Durban: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit of the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - in Durban, South Africa. This was the first structured high-level contact between the two countries since the change of leadership in China. The meeting lasted for 45 minutes.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Singh said India values its ties with China. "The bilateral relationship with China is of great importance. As Prime Minister of India, it has been my great privilege to interact regularly with the Chinese relationship over the last decade. I hope to intensify such dialogue and communications with you and the new leadership of China to put our relations on an even higher growth trajectory," Dr Singh said.
The two leaders discussed all contentious issues, including the boundary and Chinese dams along the Brahmaputra River, said sources.
Sources told NDTV that the Chinese President was all praise for Dr Singh for his statesmanship and was hopeful that he would continue to improve ties between both the countries.
Mr Jinping said relationship with India is important to China. "The Chinese President, in fact, himself told Dr Singh that he knew about the good bonding our prime minister shared with his predecessors," an Indian official said.
Chinese Prime Minister invited Dr Singh to China and the Prime Minister invited the Chinese President to New Delhi. Both the leaders have accepted each other's invitations; the dates are yet to be worked out.
Mr Jinping had last week propounded five proposals for improving bilateral ties with India. These included keeping aside differences on various issues while improving mutual ties and accommodation of each other's concerns while dealing with "core interests".
He had also suggested that peace and tranquility should be maintained on the boundary pending settlement of the issue.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Singh said India values its ties with China. "The bilateral relationship with China is of great importance. As Prime Minister of India, it has been my great privilege to interact regularly with the Chinese relationship over the last decade. I hope to intensify such dialogue and communications with you and the new leadership of China to put our relations on an even higher growth trajectory," Dr Singh said.
Sources told NDTV that the Chinese President was all praise for Dr Singh for his statesmanship and was hopeful that he would continue to improve ties between both the countries.
Advertisement
Chinese Prime Minister invited Dr Singh to China and the Prime Minister invited the Chinese President to New Delhi. Both the leaders have accepted each other's invitations; the dates are yet to be worked out.
Advertisement
He had also suggested that peace and tranquility should be maintained on the boundary pending settlement of the issue.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Video: Children Jump On E-Rickshaw, Chase Foreigners For Money In Delhi On Past Conflicts With Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli's Clear Message To BCCI Promoted As T20I Captain Over Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav Made His Leadership Stance Clear 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Trump Praises Secret Service Agent Who Took Shooter Out With "One Shot" Google Brings AI To US Broadcast Of Paris Olympics Video: Children Jump On E-Rickshaw, Chase Foreigners For Money In Delhi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.