PM Modi speaks to Chinese Premier

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the telephone to H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China this afternoon at the latter’s initiative," said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Li congratulated Modi on his victory in the recent general elections and conveyed the Chinese government’s desire to establish robust partnership with the new government of India for further development of relations between the two nations.

Modi thanked Li for his message of felicitations.

"Noting that China was always a priority in India’s foreign policy, he underlined his government’s resolve to utilize the full potential of our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China and his keenness to work closely with the Chinese leadership to deal with any outstanding issues in our bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of our developmental goals and long-term benefits to our peoples," said the PMO.

He welcomed greater economic engagement between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and communication.

Modi extended through Li an invitation to President Xi Jinping to pay a visit to India later this year.

Modi’s telephone conversation with Li was his first with a foreign Head of Government since taking over as Prime Minister of India.