'China must reconsider approach to realise full potential of partnership with India': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that China must reconsider its approach on certain issues in order to realise the full potential of its partnership with India, adding that the two Asian giants have a 'historic responsibility' to use their relationship for the good of the world.

"I am pleased to visit China in the first year of my government. This is one of our most important strategic partnerships. Our relationship has been complex in recent decades, but we have a historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world," Prime Minister Modi said, while making his statement to the press after the two countries had signed a record 24 agreements.

"My conversations with [Chinese] Premier Li Keqiang were candid, constructive and friendly. I stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach to some issues that hold us back from realising the full potential of our partnership. We both reiterated our strong commitment to make all efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border region," he added.

Speaking of specific areas of their talks, the Prime Minister said that he and Premier Li focussed on bilateral cooperation, with the Indo-China border issue also coming up for discussion.

"I sought tangible progress on issues relating to visa policy and trans-border rivers. I also discussed some of our regional concerns. Our decision to enhance strategic communication and coordination on our region is especially significant. Bilateral cooperation was a very important part of our discussion. We have set a high level of ambition for our economic partnership," he said.

"On the boundary question, we agreed that we continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said that both countries have placed a high priority on people-to-people contacts, noting that the growing trade deficit between India and China was a matter of concern.

"President Xi and Premier Li were very responsive to the specific concerns I had raised on our growing trade deficit. An area of high priority for us is people-to-people contacts. Our decision to open consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects the growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our relationship," he said.

The Prime Minister also thanked China for the opening of the Nathu La route for pilgrims to Kailash Mansarover, a route which will become operational in June.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded with an official welcome ceremony at the Eastern Plaza in the Great Hall of People. Prime Minister Modi, along with Premier Li, inspected the Guard of Honour before the national anthems of India and China were played at the venue.

In the afternoon, the two leaders are scheduled to address the State/Provincial Leaders' Forum, following which Premier Li will host a lunch banquet for the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Modi will later meet National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee chairman Zhang Dejiang, before visiting the Tsinghua University, where he is scheduled to address the students. He will then visit the Temple of Heaven, where he will have his final engagement in the city: a yoga-tai chi joint event.

In the evening, the Prime Minister shall depart for Shanghai, the third and final city he shall be visiting during his current tour of China.