Ties with China will touch new heights, says Modi

New Delhi/Ofa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he had a "comprehensive" meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and both of them are "strongly committed" to take bilateral ties to "new heights", a day after raising strong concerns over China's move to block action against Pakistan over Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi's release.

"Our meeting was very comprehensive and several issues were discussed, both about India-China ties and global affairs. Both of us are strongly committed to taking India-China ties to new heights and increasing our economic, cultural and people-to-people relations," Modi said.

During his meeting with XI, Modi "strongly" and "clearly" conveyed concerns to him over China blocking a proposal for action by the UN against Pakistan on the release of jailed Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. The two sides felt that the issue should be discussed further at the level of officials.

He also voiced concerns over the $46 billion economic corridor that China is building with Pakistan as it crosses Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India considers its part. "Friends, I am in Ufa along with several world leaders. I am confident the BRICS & SCO Summits will be very productive and the outcomes will benefit the entire world," he said. Modi had also posted three photos including Xi and him shaking hands at Ufa followed by their meeting along with respective delegations. During their talks, Xi called for proper management of differences over border issue and told PMModi that China and India should work together to build a closer, comprehensive and firmer partnership among BRICS countries.

On the eve of Modi's bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan violated ceasefire again at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, in which a BSF jawan was killed. This was the third time Pakistan violated ceasefire this week.