Chinese, Indian FMs hold talks

BEIJING, Feb. 1 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj held talks on bilateral ties in Beijing on Sunday.

As two large developing countries, China and India pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, and both countries attach priority to developing relations with their neighbouring countries, Wang said, noting that China cherishes the strategic and cooperative partnership with India.

Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India, and leaders of both countries set a goal for building closer China-India development partnership, Wang said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with India to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and to be good neighbours and partners, Wang said, adding that two countries should be good friends who are working together to promote democratization of international relations and to safeguard the overall interests of developing countries.

Wang made some suggestions on bilateral ties in 2015. He said China and India should continue to keep high-level visits and strategic communication and China welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit China this year.

Wang said China and India should focus on promoting pragmatic cooperation in the fields of railway, industrial park, smart city, tourism, education, culture and new pilgrimage route.

Wang said China is willing to make joint efforts with India to promote the process of negotiations over border issue so as to maintain peace in border area.

Xi and Modi have met with each other three times since last year, Swaraj said, adding that it shows a high-level development of bilateral ties.

She hopes that her current visit to China will show positive signals of India-China friendly and cooperative relationship.

Swaraj is paying an official visit to China from Saturday to Tuesday as a guest of Wang Yi, and it is her first visit to China since taking office.

As the second largest economy, China is the largest neighbouring country of India, Swaraj said, noting that India and China have broad common interests and both countries can benefit from each other's development.

Swaraj said that India attaches great importance to bilateral ties and Modi is willing to pay a visit to China at an early date within this year.

India would like to make joint efforts with China to strengthen understanding and mutual trust, properly handle the differences, advance comprehensive cooperation and sound coordination in international and regional affairs, Swaraj said.