China India foreign ministers hold key talks in Beijing
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BEIJING- India is trying its level best to improve its bilateral relations with China as a tactical move and not as a part of long term strategy.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held key bilateral talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi as she kicks off a three-day visit to China on Sunday.
The talks were aimed at laying the groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China later in the year.
Swaraj and Wang are expected to announce details of the PM's visit.
Modi will be in Qingdao in early June to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Reports have said he may also travel separately to China in coming weeks for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. This would be the first meeting between the two leaders since Xi began his second term in March.
The meeting between Swaraj and Wang has added significance because in March, Wang was given the additional portfolio of state councillor or top diplomat.
Swaraj has confirmed that this will come with the added responsibility of taking over as special representative on the border talks with India.
On Tuesday, Swaraj will attend a summit of SCO foreign ministers.
