The Hindu : Front Page : Sonia’s visit will boost ties: Hu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 27, 2007
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Front Page

Sonia’s visit will boost ties: Hu

First foreign political leader to be received by new leadership

Visit a milestone in Sino-India relations, says Sonia
Progress made by China outstanding

Photo: AP

WARM RECEPTION: Congress president Sonia Gandhi with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. She is on a five-day visit to the country. —

Beijing: The new Chinese leadership on Friday rolled out the red carpet for Congress president Sonia Gandhi, assuring India that it attached high importance to friendly ties between the two countries.

Ms. Gandhi, who described her visit here as a “milestone” in Sino-India relations, met Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Premier Wen Jiabao and Minister of the International Department of the CPC Wang Jiarui.

Rare honour

Ms. Gandhi, accompanied by her son, Rahul Gandhi, among others, became the first foreign political leader to be received by the new Chinese leadership which emerged at the recently concluded CPC National Congress here on October 22.

“You are the first foreign political leader to visit China after the conclusion of the 17th National Congress, which is an indication [of the importance] both of us have attached to our relations,” Mr. Hu told Ms. Gandhi at their meeting at the ornate Great Hall of the People here.

Mr. Hu, who was re-elected the party boss during the National Congress, said he had fresh memories of his visit to India in November last and vividly remembered the warm reception given by the Indian government and the people.

Sonia congratulates Hu

Congratulating Mr. Hu on his re-election, Ms. Gandhi said she was tremendously impressed by what she had seen; the progress made by China was quite outstanding. It was reflective of the vision of its leadership and the hard work of the people.

Mr. Hu said Ms. Gandhi’s visit would further strengthen relations not only at the party-to-party level but also between the countries. He also hosted a banquet in honour of Ms. Gandhi, who is also accompanied by senior leader Karan Singh and Ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Anand Sharma.

Earlier, during her meeting with Mr. Wen, both leaders took note of the steadily growing ties between the two countries.

Mr. Wen, who met Ms. Gandhi at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, recalled that the ground-breaking visit by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 normalised Sino-India relations.

“I still vividly remember when Rajiv Gandhi visited China, you were with him,” Mr. Wen said, noting that Rajiv met top Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping. Deng had told Rajiv that without the development of China and India, the next century could not be called the “Century of Asia.”

Describing Rajiv as an “outstanding statesman,” the Chinese Premier said the Indian leader had not only made a contribution to India but also strengthened Sino-India relations.

Responding to Mr. Wen’s remarks, Ms. Gandhi said: “I remember the historic visit when my husband came here. From then on, the relationship between the two countries has been growing stronger.”

Mr. Wen also praised Ms. Gandhi’s contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

“Your work and contribution to the friendship between China and India is of great importance.” — PTI

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