Chinese premier Li Keqiang awaits Narendra Modi’s Beijing visit

China is looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Beijing, Chinese premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday on their first meeting in Myanmar's capital.

Modi met Li at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Nay Pyi Taw on the sidelines of the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits.

The Chinese premier was among the first leaders to greet PM Modi over phone after the latter was sworn in as Prime Minister in May this year. He had pledged then to build a "robust" relationship with the Narendra Modi-led government, foreign ministry spokesman tweeted.

During the meeting, PM Modi recalled the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India in September, saying it would be remembered as a memorable visit.

On the third day of his ten-day three-nation tour that will also take him to Australia and Fiji,
PM Modi had several bilateral meetings, including Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev and Philippines President Benigno Aquino among other world leaders today.

External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbarudin told reporters in Delhi earlier this week that there will be a "structured" meeting and delegation-level talks between PM Modi and the Chinese Premier in Myanmar.

PM Modi will also have an opportunity to interact with President Xi during an informal meet of the leaders of the five-nation BRICS bloc on the fringes of the G-20 summit in Brisbane.

PM Modi and President Xi are likely to enhance their rapport struck during their meetings at the BRICS summit in July in Brazil and during the President's visit to India in September.

Officials of both countries are reportedly keen to focus on the positives, such as the $20 billion investment pledge from China, and to take concrete steps to move forward agreements such as the setting up of China-dedicated industrial parks in India.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also attended the meeting.