India-China Ties On Upward Trajectory After Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi Visits: Zhang Dejiang

By siliconindia | Monday, 15 June 2015, 10:20 Hrs

MUMBAI: Sino-India ties have been taken on an upward trajectory by the recent visits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top Chinese leader Zhang Dejiang said.

Zhang, who is chairman of the standing committee of People's National Congress of China and third in the heirarcy, is leading a Chinese parliamentary delegation to India.

He also paid glowing tributes to Dr Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis, who was part of the Indian Medical Mission to war-torn China in 1938, saying he is the symbol of Sino-Indian friendship and his legacy should be carried forward.

"Indians demonstrated their friendship with China in its gravest hour," he said while referring to Kotnis' services and added that Kotnis is still commemorated and remembered in China and India.

Zhang said, "The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India followed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China recently took the ties between the two countries on upward trajectory."

"My trip here will keep up the momentum," the Chinese lader said.

Xi had visited India in September last year while Modi had gone to China last month.

The visiting dignitary was speaking at a gathering after meeting the late physician's relatives and members of Dr Kotnis Memorial committee. He also inaugurated an exhibition highlighting Kotnis' life and times to mark the diamond jubilee celebration of Indian Medical Mission to China.

A team of five Indian physicians, of which Kotnis was a part, had provided medical assistance to Chinese soldiers fighting the Japanese in 1938.

Zhang described Dr Kotnis as a symbol of Sino-Indian friendship and stressed the need to carry forward his legacy.

Source: PTI