Congratulating Xi Jinping on reelection, PM Modi says looking forward to work to improve bilateral ties

NewsBharati    21-Mar-2018
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New Delhi, March 21: After Chinese President Xi Jinping was re-elected; Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on the telephonic conversation. China Prez Xi Jinping expressed enhancing communication with PM Modi on long-term and strategic issues regarding India-China ties. 

"I would like to enhance communication with Prime Minister on the overall, long-term and strategic issues in China-India ties as well as global and regional situation, so as to enhance political mutual trust, provide important guidance for bilateral ties and continue to upgrade the development level of the relationship between the two countries," Xi said. The two leaders held the telephonic conversation at Modi's invitation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, a day after the Indian Prime Minister congratulated Xi on Chinese social media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping over phone on his re-election for another five years and discussed efforts by both the countries to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation.

 

PM Modi is perhaps the first foreign leader to have spoken to Xi as the Chinese President began his second five-year term after his election by China's Parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which concluded its annual session today.

Both India and China are ancient civilizations with global influence, PM Modi said, adding that India will work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to further a closer developmental partnership between the two countries and promote global and regional peace and development, according to the report.

Xi appreciated PM Modi's congratulations, saying the just-concluded annual sessions of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have achieved great success.

PM Modi said that Xi's re-election shows that he enjoys the support of the whole Chinese nation, the report said. Prez Xi briefed Modi on the annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC.

At the sessions, a new state leadership and leadership of the CPPCC National Committee were elected, important proposals such as constitutional amendments were approved, while a new round of institutional restructuring of the State Council (Cabinet) has started, Prez Xi told Modi. China will deepen its reform and opening up, he said, adding that China, while realizing its own development, will make the greater contribution to the common development and progress of the world, he added.

PM Modi, in his message posted on his account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, said: "Dear President Xi Jinping, congratulations on getting re-elected as the President of the People's Republic of China. I look forward to working with you for further development of our bilateral relations.

India and China are currently making diplomatic efforts to improve the relations in the aftermath of the 73-day long standoff at Dokalam in Sikkim section.While Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Beijing recently and held talks with top-level Chinese officials, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said she planned to visit China next month.