Indian book in Chinese to improve ties: Mukherjee

An Indian book "Odyssey in Tibet" on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage to be published in the Chinese language "would contribute to further strengthening relations between the two countries", President Pranab Mukherjee has said.

The president, in a note ahead of the release Monday of the Chinese edition of the book, said: "India-China relations have witnessed all-round progress in the past years. Both our countries stand out on the threshold of a leap into an exciting phase of global exchange, where harnessing of ideas and resources for global welfare can serve as a major pivot for world peace and welfare."

This is the first Indian book selected by the Chinese government to publish under its "Understanding India series" and the first Chinese book inaugurated in Rashtrapati Bhavan post-independence.

"I am confident that the book will contribute to further strengthening relations between our two countries and wish the book every success," Mukherjee said.

Former national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon, in a similar message, also echoed the same feeling for the book.

He said the Chinese edition, like the Yatra itself to Kailash Mansarovar, will be one more bond between India and China.

"The book will no doubt contribute to furthering the understanding between our two peoples," he said.

Written by author, journalist and parliament member from Uttarakhand Tarun Vijay, the book will be released by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan.