After months of frosty ties, Beijing warmed up to New Delhi on Monday with its ambassador to India writing to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, seeking a meeting to discuss the celebration next year of 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Zhang Yang said he would like to “benefit” from any “ideas” the minister may have.
Ties have been strained between the countries in the recent past over Beijing issuing stapled visas to Indian nationals from Jammu and Kashmir and the Chinese protesting the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunanchal Pradesh in November.
As part of the celebrations, there will be an India festival in China and a China festival here. President Pratibha Patil is expected to visit the neighbouring country next year.
Though the anniversary plans were agreed upon in August — when the 13th meeting between the Chinese and Indian special representative on the boundary issue was held in New Delhi — some suggestions from the Chinese side hadn’t found favour with India.
These include Beijing’s proposal to teach Chinese language in India and an exchange programme for school students.
{{/usCountry}}These include Beijing’s proposal to teach Chinese language in India and an exchange programme for school students.
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