The meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday raised hopes of improved bilateral ties between the two neighbours, an official statement said.

The statement, quoting the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said besides diplomatic engagement, China, India’s largest neighbour, also holds significance in its economic capacity and economic bilateral talks are likely between the two countries.

“A fairly long discussion on economic issues” was held between Yi and Swaraj, which included specific projects, trajectory of economic ties, potential for tapping opportunities as well as the hurdles being faced in pursuing economic cooperation, the statement said.

The Chinese Government is expected to keep a close watch on India’s new economic policies, especially in the light of the US. Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first foreign tours could also hold significance.

Bilateral visits

The possibility of future engagements — in terms bilateral visits as well as meetings on the margins of various multilateral meetings were discussed.

At least a dozen such high-level meetings — between officials of the stature of President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister — are likely within a year, it said.

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