Chinese premier meets Indian foreign minister

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here on Friday.

Li said China-India relations have strategic significance and global impact, as both countries are large developing countries and emerging markets.

Li highlighted the importance that the new Chinese government has placed on developing ties with India, saying China would like to enhance political trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen people-to-people understanding and expand communication on international and regional issues so as to develop their strategic partnership.

"Friendly cooperation is central to China-India relations and common interests outweigh differences," Li said.

Li urged the two countries to cherish their ties, be more progressive in expanding cooperation and inject new vitality into the economies of Asia and the world.

China would like to negotiate with India to settle border issues and create favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation and development, Li said.

Khurshid said developing relations benefits both sides and promotes regional and global peace and prosperity.

India would like to work with China to send a positive signal of mutual trust and support to the world, as well as effectively control differences and resolve border issues, he said.