Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Delhi

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here today on a three-day state visit.

He was received by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed and senior ministry officials including Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

Li is accompanied by a high level delegation. The Chinese premier will have a restricted meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh this evening.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said New Delhi is highly hopeful that the visit will enhance mutual trust and understanding between the people and leadership on sensitivities of two countries.

During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss the entire gamut of India-China relations.

On May 20, the Chinese leader will be given a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan before going to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Delegations of the two countries will hold talks at Hyderabad House that will likely include border and trade discussions as well as talks on their respective roles in Afghanistan after the draw down of U.S. troops in 2014.

Premier Li will also call on Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj .

On Tuesday, Li will address a meeting hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Council of World Affairs, before calling on President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Chinese delegation, including Premier Li, will then travel to Mumbai to visit the headquarters of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. The Chinese leader will also meet relatives of Dwarkanath Kotnis, an Indian doctor who treated Chinese soldiers during the Sino-Japan War of 1938.