New Delhi:
Bringing the message of everlasting friendship between India and China, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao mingled with students at Tagore International in Delhi on Wednesday. And whoever thought language barrier could be an issue between the Premier and his audience, then here is what happened.
Amidst accolades for his overwhelming words on India-China friendship, the Chinese Premier charmed all the students by asking them to call him 'Grandpa'.
"I was deeply touched. I am also very happy that some of you now called me Grandpa Wen and actually in China many people call me that too," said Wen Jiabao.
And the students? They were a happy lot.
"He was scheduled to come for 20 minutes but ended up staying for 50 minutes... because he loved interacting with the students of our school and it was such a pleasure to see him... he was so approachable and was talking so casually and did not even give the feeling that he was the head of state," said one of the students from the school.
Certainly, Grandpa Wen was delighted too. He taught calligraphy to students and wrote "India China friendship forever" in Mandarin on a white board.
"Grandpa Wen, taught us calligraphy... he taught us some characters... he was extremely informal with us."
The Chinese Premier, who is on a three-day visit to India with his delegates, expressed his pleasure to have come to the country and said that he was deeply touched by the hospitality that prove India and China are 'friends forever'.