Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China in May this year as both countries seek to enhance bilateral ties and promote business and trade relations, according to Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who was in Beijing in a trilateral meeting with Russia and China on Monday.

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Swaraj conveyed the announcement to the China leadership in a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Swaraj told Indian media in China that Modi's visit is a preparatory one and that her maiden visit was purposely for the opening of the additional route for the Kailash Manasorvar Yatra for which preparations are ongoing.

Swaraj said the route is such a 'big thing' for it will provide a pleasant and comfortable trip for the pilgrims who can use the travel facility going to Kailash-Manasorvar directly by buses.

The Foreign Minister said that Modi's visit to China is a reciprocal one following Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India September last year.

Political analysts said Swaraj's visit was a crucial one as it came on the heels of a joint US-India statement made during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to india last week, hinting that they will not make it easy for China to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The visit was meant to allay China's anger and at the same time to forge stronger economic and bilateral relations with China through establishing business contracts and developing new areas of cooperation.

In a speech before India-China media forum Monday, Swaraj said India seeks to build better ties with China on several areas including broad-base bilateral engagement, convergence of common regional and global interests expand strategic cooperation and bring about an 'Asian century.'

Swaraj said PM Modi's maiden visit to China since assuming office seeks to enhance the momentum in their ties and will further cement their bilateral relations.

Swaraj said they will make it easy for China to set up businesses in India, and hoped that China will likewise be lenient to Indian companies who want to build businesses in China.

TagsPM Narendra Modi