Li Keqiang (L) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waves during their meeting in New Delhi, India, May 20, 2013. Photo: Xinhua" src="http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2011/3dbdbfab-ce42-49a3-b801-92a757c6ca2b.jpeg">

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waves during their meeting in New Delhi, India, May 20, 2013. Photo: Xinhua
 

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang starts first foreign visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Monday to build up trust with India, declaring that ties between the two Asian giants were key to world peace as he visited New Delhi on the first leg of his maiden foreign trip.

Speaking alongside his counterpart Manmohan Singh, Li said China wanted to increase cooperation with India, saying his choice of destination showed the importance that Beijing attached to ties with New Delhi.

"The purpose of my current visit to India is three-fold - to increase mutual trust, to intensify cooperation and to face the future," Li said, adding that the two countries can construct a new type of relations between major countries while promoting healthy and sound development.

"That will be a true blessing for Asia and the world," said Li.

India and China also signed eight bilateral agreements including key pacts on trans-border river management and trade, New Delhi Television reported.

In an editorial published on Monday in The Hindu newspaper titled Handshake across the Himalayas, Li wrote that both countries share a common goal, emphasizing the importance for the two nations to work together.

"Facing the same task of boosting the economy, improving people's living standards and reviving the nation, both need a peaceful and tranquil neighborhood and external environment and wish to achieve win-win results through dialogue and cooperation," wrote Li, adding that together the emerging giants could become a new engine of the world economy.

Li's visit came on Sunday shortly after a three-week standoff broke out along their western border. The incident ended peacefully on May 7, after both countries withdrew troops from a disputed area.

"China and India combined have a population of over 2.5 billion. The border dispute is a small part of the discussion and it should not stop the two powerful nations from deepening ties and collaboration that could benefit so many people," Fu Xiaoqiang, an expert on South Asian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

Fu's opinion was echoed by Rahul Singh, a lawyer from Trilegal Law Firm in India, who told the Global Times that Li's visit was timely and should help mitigate the differences between the two countries.

Li is also scheduled to meet Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, ruling Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi and senior figures from the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party before heading Tuesday to the financial hub, Mumbai.

Li also visited the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi on Monday.

Agencies contributed to the story.