Li meets family of Dr Kotnis, calls him 'symbol' of Indo-China friendship

Dwarkanath Kotnis was part of a 5-member medical team despatched to China to render assistance to the Chinese soldiers in distress

Premier Li Keqiang today paid tributes to the memory of a young Indian doctor who treated wounded and plague-stricken Chinese soldiers on battlefront during the Sino-Japanese war of the 1930s, becoming one of the most revered and enduring links between the two countries.

Li, in India on his first foreign visit after taking office, took a break from his crammed schedule, to meet the family members of Dwarkanath Kotnis, who was one of the five members of a medical team despatched to China by the Indian National Congress to render assistance to the Chinese soldiers in distress.

During the special meeting with the Indian doctor's family - a tradition visiting premiers and presidents from China have kept alive for decades -- Premier Li recollected the contribution of Kotnis.

"The Indo-Chinese friendship has been strengthened by the contribution of late Dr Dwarkadas Kotnis, who rendered humanitarian help in China," he told the family.

"It was a most pleasant meeting. The Premier said that he (Dr. Kotnis) is a symbol of Indo-China friendship... This very word symbol covers the gamut of emotions about Dr. Kotnis, I guess," said Manorama, 92, younger sister of the iconic doctor.

She said Li expressed the high regard the Chinese people had for Kotnis and his work.

"Li has most generously invited us to visit China," she said.

"The Chinese Premier was very warm to us... Very humble. The Chinese are proud of Dr Kotnis for the service he rendered during the Japanese aggression," said Shalmali Golkar, Manorama's grand daughter after the meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.