India-China relations gained new momentum after Modi, Xi visits: Zhang Dejiang

Building on the renewed emphasis on expanding the canvas of interaction between the two Asian giants, Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, has underscored the need for enhancing exchanges between provincial legislatures and universities of China and India.

Mr Zhang is leading a Chinese parliamentary delegation to India.

Alluding to the visits by China’s President Xi Jinping’s to India and the subsequent visit by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China, Mr Zhang stressed that these two visits have added a new dimension to their existing relations. India and China signed over 50 agreements during these two significant visits. If the two countries continued cooperation at the current momentum, the results of these agreements would be visible in next three years, he said in New Delhi June 16.

Broadening arc of bilateral ties

Putting the focus on education, the Chinese leader also pitched for enhanced university collaboration and students’ exchange programme between the two nations.

Mr Zhang met Mr Modi, and discussed a host of issues, including promoting trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties between India & China.”

The prime minister described his meeting with Mr Zhang as very fruitful. “My meeting with Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, was very fruitful.”

Mr Modi underlined that the foundation of India-China relations should be broadened by promoting exchanges between state-level legislatures as well parliamentary exchanges, as these are important pillars of the bilateral relationship.

Connecting with Dr Kotnis

During his maiden visit to India, Mr Zhang met the relatives and members of the committee of late physician, Dr Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis, who was part of the Indian Medical Mission to the war-torn China in 1938. Dr. Kotnis was among five Indian physicians, who had provided medical assistance to Chinese soldiers during the Sino-Japan war in 1938, earning lasting gratitude of the Chinese people.

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