On his visit to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian National Congress Party head Sonia Gandhi and former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh to talk about the relations between their countries last Friday.

President Xi referred to Gandhi and Singh as "old friends" of China and commended the two for their unwavering contribution to China-India relations, reported state media Xinhua News Agency.

Like Us on Facebook

Xi said that the existing partnership between China and India that led to present day prosperity and peace between the two countries is a result of utmost care and support Gandhi and Singh gave during their leadership.

The Chinese president said the benefits both countries are experiencing would not have been made possible if not for the two Indian leaders' contribution to regional and global measures to achieve peace and development.

Xi mentioned that, at present, both countries are committed to the ideals of achieving national rejuvenation. He said this will be achieved through a stable and supportive environment to which Xi encouraged Gandhi and Singh to join hands with China and make that future possible.

He also stressed the importance of continued and strengthened communication, noting the long-standing relationship between the Communist Party of China and Gandhi's party. He said that both can benefit from the leadership experience of the two in the areas of administration, organizational development and governance.

For her part, Sonia Gandhi commended Xi and congratulated him for a successful India visit. She said that the two countries' relationship is in the minds of members among India's political parties and that everyone is aware of the importance of China-India bilateral relations.

Gandhi told Xi that the Chinese president can expect cooperation from her party to promote the bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, Singh, who was also a Nobel laureate, said stressed the global impact of India-China relations. The former Indian prime minister said he would get out of his way to work with other parties and dedicate himself to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

President Xi's visit to India is the last of his four-nation diplomatic tour in South and Central Asia. The Chinese president had been to the Maldives, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

Tagspolitics, Indian people, Prime Ministers of India, Foreign relations of India, Sino-Indian relations