Willing to break 'new ground' in Sino-India ties, says China on PM Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meet in Wuhan

In a fresh statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that PM Modi-Xi Jinping meet in Wuhan had opened up new ground for bilateral relations.'

Beijing: China on Wednesday said that it is ready to take the Sino-India ties forward by breaking new grounds and following the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at their recent meeting in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

In a fresh statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, ''The 'one of its kind' summit between India and China created a new model for exchanges between the two leaders and opened up new ground for bilateral relations.''

Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Hua Chunying further said that "China is willing to work with India to follow through on the consensus reached between President Xi and PM Modi and take this meeting as an opportunity to break new ground in the mutually beneficial cooperation." 

The statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry came days after PM Modi and Xi held talks during what was called the first ''Informal Summit'' between the top Asian leaders in the Chinese central city of Wuhan.

During the meeting,Modi and Xi agreed that a peaceful border between the countries was a key to keep a good bilateral relationship. 

"The two leaders held a candid exchange of views in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. They had an exchange of views on international relations, Sino-India ties, cooperation in various areas and reached important consensus," Hua said. 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that Modi and Xi "identified the important principles guiding the development of China-India relations and draw up a blueprint for comprehensive cooperation".

When asked if India and China were working to set up a hotline between their military commanders, Hua said, "We should put the border issue in a proper situation in the bilateral relations and properly manage these issues, not enlarge them."

Hua also called on the need for stepping up the exchanges between the relevant areas which will help to properly resolve such kind of differences. 

''We are willing to maintain communication and enhance communication with relevant parties," Hua added. 

(With IANS inputs)