BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday expressed the hope that defense departments and armed forces of China and India strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in their border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.
Li made the remarks while meeting Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, who held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on Monday.
The two countries are going to hold the 19th round of talks between special representatives on boundary issues in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will come and co-chair the talks with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.
Li said China and India are important neighboring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive to both sides and the world.
China attaches high importance to the relations with India, and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests, and properly handle disputes, so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Li said.
Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a great engine for Asia's development and send a positive signal for world peace, Li noted.
Speaking positively of the development of India-China relations in recent years, Parrikar said he hoped the two sides could make joint efforts to properly handle relevant issues and maintain the cooperation momentum in all areas.
He said a further progress of bilateral defense relations would also push forward the two countries' economic and trade cooperation. He hoped the two countries could strengthen cooperation and friendship.