Indian PM expresses wish for stronger economic, trade ties with China

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed wish for stronger economic and trade ties between India and China.

During a meeting here with Wang Jiarui, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Modi said the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India last September was highly successful and that the friendship between the leaders of the two countries is a driving force behind bilateral cooperations.

He said stronger cooperation in the fields of economy and trade is conducive for India and China to play a more important role in Asian and world affairs.

Modi said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India is willing to carry out more exchanges with the Communist Party of China, especially in the fields of local governance, youth and women.

Wang said the successful visit by President Xi to India last year has drawn a new blue print for China-India cooperation.

The year 2015 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, and China is ready to build closer development partnership with India, to which the Communist Party of China is willing to make its contribution, he said.