Our Correspondent / New Delhi
India and China have resolved to take people-to- people contact to a new high for better relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the 3rd India-China High Level Media Forum along with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here today, Mrs Swaraj said, they discussed enhancing cooperation in ten areas areas media, films, education, tourism, art, yoga, culture, sports, academic and youth exchanges.
Ms Swaraj said, the Forum underscores the seminal role played by the media of the two countries in building mutual appreciation and understanding. The Minister pitched for increasing bilateral trade. She said India has undertaken several measures to improve economic ties and sought China’s cooperation in this direction.
The Minister said the two sides should work as they have similar goals of achieving better healthcare services for their people and improving their lifestyles. Ms Swaraj said good progress has been made in the bilateral relations since the Wuhan Summit earlier this year.
Speaking at the event, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi underlined the need for increasing people-to-people exchanges to benefit the mankind.
Earlier, the two Foreign Ministers held the first meeting of India-China High-Level Mechanism on cultural exchanges and people to people contacts. The new mechanism aims to build synergies in people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message has said, the High Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges is an important part of India-China relations.
Mr Modi said, both the countries have age old cultural relations. He said, the links have been reinforced with increased contacts and exchanges between the peoples in contemporary times. He hoped that the mechanism will bring both the countries more closer.
Earlier, Mr. Wang Yi, called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Welcoming Mr Yi to India, the President said, India-China relations are an important part of India’s foreign policy.
As two major countries, expansion of cooperation bilaterally as well as regionally and internationally is in the mutual interest.
He said, India looks forward to its continued engagement with China for further strengthening of bilateral relations based on mutual trust and understanding, and with due consideration to each other’s concerns, aspirations and sensitivities.
The Chinese Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi last night on a four day official visit to India.
The External Affairs Minister said armies of the both the countries have been constantly working to improve mutual contacts as well taking confidence building measures.
She said, both the countries should work together to ensure peace and tranquility at the border which is pre-requisite for better bilateral ties. She said, India and China are working together today on matters related to regional and international issues.
Putting people to people ties at the centre
1st meeting of #IndiaChina High-Level Mechanism co-chaired by EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Chinese State Councilor & FM Wang Yi. Discussed enhancing cooperation in tourism, art, films, media, culture, yoga, sports, academic & youth exchanges pic.twitter.com/hanjCVIzRy
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 21, 2018