China wants robust partnership with India, Li Keqiang tells Modi

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated him on his victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, Premier Li conveyed the Chinese government's desire to establish robust partnership with the new government of India for further development of relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Premier Li for his message of felicitations. He noted that China was always a priority in India's foreign policy, and underlined his government's resolve to utilize the full potential of India's Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China.

Modi also expressed his keenness to work closely with the Chinese leadership to deal with any outstanding issues in our bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of our developmental goals and long-term benefits to the people of the two countries. He welcomed greater economic engagement between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and communications. Prime Minister Modi extended through Premier Li an invitation to President Xi Jinping to pay a visit to India later this year.

Prime Minister Modi's telephone conversation with Premier Li was his first with a foreign Head of Government after taking over as Prime Minister of India.