New Delhi, Ahead of the first meeting of India China High Level Mechanism on cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed happiness that age-old links have been reinforced with increased contacts and exchanges ‘between our peoples in contemporary times’.
‘Continuing the Wuhan Spirit, I and President Xi Zinping have imagined such a mechanism to bring our peoples closer,’ he said, adding that being old civilisations and two neighbouring countries, India and China have mutual and deep cultural ties.
‘The growing relations at present and exchange have given a boost to old relations,’ he said, adding that this high level mechanism, is a confirmation of this effort.
The new mechanism, aiming to build synergies in people-to-people ties, is being held on Friday, said the Prime Minister in a message at the launch of India China High Level Mechanism.
Wishing success for the new step, Mr Modi said this effort will help in bringing the peoples of the two country closer.
State Councilor & Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi called on President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and discussed the shared vision of creating the mechanism to enhance people-to-people ties between India and China.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj welcomed Mr Wang Yi ahead of first meeting of India China High Level Mechanism on Cultural & People-to-People Exchanges.
The Forum was set up following an MoU between India and China during the visit of the Prime Minister to that country in 2015. The idea of the forum is to explore contentious issues and new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived here early morning on Friday on a four-day visit to India.
“Bringing our people ever closer. State Councilor & Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi arrived in Delhi for the launch of India China High level Mechanism on Cultural & People-to-People Exchanges that emanated from the Informal Summit between the leaders in April,” MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
The meeting will be co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister and her Chinese counterpart.