Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, this afternoon at the latter’s initiative. Premier Li congratulated the Prime Minister on his victory in the recent General Elections and conveyed the Chinese government’s desire to establish robust partnership with the new government of India for further development of relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Premier Li for his message of felicitations. Noting that China was always a priority in India’s foreign policy, he underlined his government’s resolve to utilize the full potential of the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China and his keenness to work closely with the Chinese leadership to deal with any outstanding issues in the bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of the developmental goals and long-term benefits to the people. He also welcomed greater economic engagement between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and communication.

Prime Minister Modi also extended through Premier Li an invitation to President Xi Jinping to pay a visit to India later this year.

Prime Minister Modi’s telephonic conversation with Premier Li was his first with a foreign Head of Government since taking over as the Prime Minister of India.

The official Twitter handle of the PMO tweeted: