Krishna covers bilateral issues with Chinese counterpart

External affairs minister SM Krishna held delegation-level talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, which focused on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and issues that would be discussed in bilateral talks between the Chinese president and prime minister Manmohan Singh on the margins of the BRICS summit to be held in New Delhi on 29 March.

This marks the last visit of Hu to India before China goes in for a generational leadership succession expected towards the end of this year. The Chinese premier last visited India in 2006.

The strategic partnership needed to be strengthened Krishna said after the talks stressing that bilateral relations were progressing in a positive direction. He added every possible issue that is raised whenever India-China dialogue takes place, was raised and the two countries had understood each other's position.

Voicing similar sentiments, Yang said, the Chinese government was committed to enhancing the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership.

Despite the recent verbal spat that followed Beijing's objections to defence minister A K Antony's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the two ministers stressed on relations and trust building.

With the media playing a critical role in shaping of public perceptions of the sensitive India-China relationship, the two countries also agreed on setting up an India-China media forum.