Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he is looking forward to making progress in all areas of cooperation with China.
In an interview with Delhi-based Chinese media on the eve of his visit to China, Modi said he wants to focus on how India and China can further strengthen mutual trust and confidence, so as to realize the full potential of the relationship.
"I look forward to working out a roadmap for qualitatively upgrading our economic relations and seek greater Chinese participation in India's economic growth, especially in transforming India's manufacturing sector and infrastructure."
He also said he believes the relationship between India and China can be one of the most important relationships of the century. "I intend to work with the Chinese leadership to lay the foundation for this," he said.
On the potential cooperation between India and China on the " Belt and Road" economic cooperation plan, Modi said that since ancient times, Asia has been connected in a variety of ways by land and sea.
"Today, a re-emerging Asia must reconnect its many regions and with the world beyond. Like China, India too is seeking to strengthen connectivity to the East and West. India and China are also working together on Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Corridor," he said.
The prime minister said this will be one of the issues that he expect to discuss with Chinese leaders.
On cooperation of Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank ( AIIB), the prime minister said India and China have been cooperating since last year in creating the AIIB.
"We welcome the initiative that can play a role in meeting some of the large demands for infrastructure development in our region. This is an example of expanding cooperation," he said.
On India's participation in Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO) full member, Modi said his government hopes to intensify its engagement with the SCO in the coming years, especially in the spheres of economic development, energy cooperation and counter- terrorism.
