External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping today met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here and said China and India have taken solid steps to step up cooperation and implement the agreements reached between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I have full confidence on the future of China and India relations and I believe that good progress will be achieved in the growth of bilateral relations this year," Xi told Swaraj who called on him at the Great Hall of the People here.

Xi said that since his visit to India in September last year, relations between the two countries have entered into a new stage.

The positive side of China-India relationship has been gowning, he said, adding that momentum of cooperation between the two countries picked up with solid steps being taken to implement the agreements between him and Modi.

Among one of the solid steps taken by the two sides, they exchanged notes yesterday on modalities for opening the second route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet via Sikkim by June, that will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.

Xi had promised opening the new route to Modi during the former's maiden visit to New Delhi last year.

Recalling his fond memories of India visit, Xi told Swaraj "I still cherish the fresh memories in my mind about the gracious hospitality extended to me by the government and people and particularly I cherish the fond memories of my trip to Prime Minister Modi's hometown in Gujarat state."

"The Prime Minister himself accompanied me on the trip. Please convey my best regards and cordial greetings to President (Pranab) Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi," said Xi, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party.

Reciprocating Xi's warm words, Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi has sent his greetings and best wishes for the Chinese Lunar Year of Sheep, which commences later this month.

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