Strategic, cooperative partnership can be formed with China, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an interaction session with the Japanese media ahead of his visit to Japan on August 30 he said that China being India's biggest neighbor, it was his wish that a strategic and cooperative partnership can be formed with China.

Prime Minister Modi said, "India desires that global savings be channeled towards infrastructure development in developing economies. Parts of the Asian continent face enormous infrastructure deficits. Hence, in principle, any initiative which seeks to address these deficits in infrastructure and connectivity is welcome. China has invited India to join the proposed AIIB as founding member; India is considering the invitation. India would like any new multilateral development bank to incorporate the reforms that we advocate for the existing international financial institutions."

Prime Minister Modi added, "China is India's largest neighbor and has a high priority in India's foreign policy. It is my government's resolve to utilize the full potential of our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China. I am keen to work closely with the Chinese leadership to push the relationship forward and to deal with all issues in our bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of our developmental goals and long-term benefits to our peoples. I had a good first meeting with President Xi in July and I am looking forward to welcoming him in India. India, Japan and China, the major countries in Asia, have many common interests and we need to build on them to convert ours into an Asian Century by working together."

Chinese President Xi Jinping had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS summit in Brazil in July. He is scheduled to make a trip to New Delhi in September.