Sushma Swaraj meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, discusses bilateral ties
What's the story
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday and discussed a host of bilateral issues and ways to step up the pace of high-level interactions to improve the relationship. Swaraj arrived in Beijing on Saturday on a four-day visit to take part in the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Here are more details.
State councilor
Bilateral ties witnessed good development this year, says Wang
This was Sushma and Wang's first meeting after the latter was elevated as state councilor last month which makes him the country's top diplomat in the Chinese hierarchy. He also continues to be the Foreign Minister. Wang said the bilateral ties have witnessed a good development and shown a positive momentum this year under the guidance of the leaders of the two nations.
Phone call
PM Modi had called President Xi Jinping
"On the eve of closing of China's National People's Congress, President Xi Jinping received a very important phone call from PM Narendra Modi," Wang said. The call spurred a positive momentum in the dialogue process between India, China. "Our two leaders had in-depth exchange of views and reached important consensus on furthering the China-India relationship. We should work hard to implement it," he added.
Quote
India's membership to SCO expanded organization's potential
"India's membership to the SCO has expanded the organization's potential and its influence, as well as providing a new platform for the India-China cooperation and I believe that India will make a positive and energetic contribution to the organization," Wang said.