President Pranab Mukherjee departs on four day visit to China

In the first leg of his state visit, he will go to Guangzhou

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday embarked on a four day visit to China, where he is expected to exchange views on all aspects of India's ties with Chinese leadership.

The President was accorded with a ceremonial departure, as Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present to send him off in an event, organised ahead of his departure.

In the first leg of his state visit, President Mukherjee will go to Guangzhou, which is one of the most important Industrial Provinces of China.

He is also expected to participate in an Indian community event this evening.

In his second and last leg of his visit, the President will reach Beijing on Wednesday, where he will have talks with the top leaders of China including with his counterpart Xi Jinping on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The President is accompanied by a delegation of top Indian academicians including vice-chancellors of Central Universities and directors of IITs, where they will sign a MoU with top Chinese research and educational Institution.

Earlier, the President had said that India seeks a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary issues with China and pending the boundary settlement to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

"We seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question and, pending the boundary settlement, to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Both sides should strive to ensure that the outstanding issues are addressed in a manner that demonstrates mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns, interests and aspiration," he said.

President Mukherjee said both India and China should enhance the mutual trust and understanding through stepped-up dialogue on political, security and strategic issues.