Chinese PM congratulates Modi; vows to take ties to new level

Modi made four visits to China as the CM of Gujarat, where most of China's $900 million investments in India have been made

Premier Li Keqiang today said China views India as a "natural cooperative partner" and it is ready to work with the new Narendra Modi-led government to take their strategic cooperative partnership to a "new level".

Congratulating Modi on being sworn in as India's 15th Prime Minister, the Chinese Premier said, "China and India are important neighbours to each other and the top two emerging markets in the world. China-India relations have moved beyond the bilateral scope and taken on global and strategic significance."

"By working together for peaceful, cooperative and common development, China and India will not only bring benefits to their own people but also contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and beyond. China stands ready to work with India to bring China-India strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity to a new level," he was quoted as saying by an official statement.

The statement acknowledged that in the new century, the two countries have established a strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity and found a way to actively expand cooperation while "properly handling disagreements".

"China has all along regarded India as natural cooperative partner whose development brings opportunities to China, and has viewed China-India relations as one of its diplomatic priorities," Li said.

"Both China and India are now facing the historical mission of deepening reform, growing the economy and improving people's livelihood. We also share the goal of seeking domestic development and a peaceful external environment," he said.

Modi made four visits to China as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, where most of China's $900 million investments in India have been made.

Modi, 63, was today sworn in Prime Minister at the head of a 45-member coalition government after the elections threw the first government with absolute majority in 30 years.