Beijing on Wednesday said that it wants to enhance mutual ties with India as Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is set to embark on a three-day visit to China next week.    

President Mukherjee's maiden visit to China is scheduled for May 24 - 27 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, according to Chin's Foreign Ministry.

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"This will be the first visit for President Mukherjee to China. It is also one of the high level exchanges between China and India this year," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a media briefing. "China and India are the major emerging countries and play a major role on the international stage. They have made great contribution for peace and stability in the world."  

Mukherjee's three-day itinerary includes a visit to industrial city Guangzhou where he is expected to address Indian businessmen and also address the India-China Business Forum.

On May 25, the Indian President will be in Beijing to attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People's Friendship Association for Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). On May 26, he is scheduled to address a meeting at Peking University.

Later on the same day, the Indian leader would hold talks with Chinese President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang before flying back to India on May 27.

President Mukherjee visit comes amid a diplomatic crisis between Beijing and New Delhi over the Masood Azhar issue. Mukherjee would allegedly not be discussing the contentious issue of Masood Azhar and China's blockade of India bid to join the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG) during his visit next week.

Mukherjee would be second high-profile Indian leader to visit China after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in May last year.

TagsIndia, India and China, Pranab Mukherje, china