India, China need to align their development strategies: Xi

India and China share the same development goals and need to take their strategic partnership to higher levels, visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday.

Speaking to journalists at Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was accorded a ceremonial reception, Xi said both countries should deepen their economic and strategic cooperation.

"India and China can create opportunities for the world. We need to take our strategic partnership to higher levels," Xi said.

"We have common development goals, it is important that we deepen the alignment of our development strategies," he said.

"The first goal is to carry forward our friendship. We admire and respect each other's civilization; it is important that we deepen our mutual respect and friendship," the Chinese president said.

He said the second goal is to deepen mutual cooperation and tap the enormous potential in their bilateral ties and third is to align their development strategies.

"We have common development goals, it is important that we deepen the alignment of our development strategies," he said.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, also visited Rajghat to pay homage at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj later called on the Chinese president.

Xi then held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House during which all substantive issues, including the latest incursion by Chinese troops, are likely to figure.

Trade and investment would also top the agenda of talks with several agreements set to be inked, including in the infrastructure and railways sector.

Xi arrived in India Wednesday on a three-day visit. The first leg of his visit was in Ahmedabad Wednesday.