External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Beijing and said China and India have taken solid steps to step up cooperation and implement the agreements reached between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I have full confidence on the future of China and India relations and I believe that good progress will be achieved in the growth of bilateral relations this year," Mr Xi told Ms Swaraj who called on him at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Mr Jinping said that since his visit to India in September last year, relations between the two countries have entered into a new stage.
The positive side of China-India relationship has been gowning, he said, adding that momentum of cooperation between the two countries picked up with solid steps being taken to implement the agreements between him and Modi.
Among one of the solid steps taken by the two sides, they exchanged notes yesterday on modalities for opening the second route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet via Sikkim by June, that will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.
Mr Jinping had promised opening the new route to Modi during the former's maiden visit to New Delhi last year.
Recalling his fond memories of India visit, Xi told Swaraj "I still cherish the fresh memories in my mind about the gracious hospitality extended to me by the government and people and particularly I cherish the fond memories of my trip to Prime Minister Modi's hometown in Gujarat state."
"The Prime Minister himself accompanied me on the trip.
Please convey my best regards and cordial greetings to President (Pranab) Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi," said mr Jinping, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party.
Reciprocating Xi Jinping's warm words, Ms Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi has sent his greetings and best wishes for the Chinese Lunar Year of Sheep, which commences later this month.
"I have been told that the Lunar Year of Sheep is known as the year of creativity and innovation...I feel that your India visit was about creativity and innovations," she said, adding that new ways were being devised to improve the relations between the two countries.
While it is indeed rare that Chinese President receives Foreign Ministers, officials say it demonstrates the Chinese leader's warmth and friendship towards India.