Describing India-China ties as the most important relationship internationally, New Delhi's Ambassador-designate to Beijing Nirupama Rao today said she will aim to further consolidate it.
"It is good to be back. My focus will be on strengthening and further consolidation of relationship between our two countries," Rao told PTI on her arrival here.
"As the most important relationship in international relations, it will be my focus and my goal to see it further strengthened," she said.
Rao, a 1973-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and an expert in India-China relations, especially on the vexed border issue, will be India's first woman ambassador in Beijing. She was also the country's first MEA spokesperson.
From 1984 to 1992, Rao worked in the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, with special focus on India-China relations.
She succeeds Nalin Surie, who has moved to MEA as Secretary (West).
On her arrival, Rao was greeted by Ambassadors of the SAARC nations in China as well as by Indian diplomats.
She will present her credentials to the Chinese President Hu Jintao soon.
Hu, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to visit India from November 20.
{{/usCountry}}Hu, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to visit India from November 20.
{{/usCountry}}Before being posted to Beijing, Rao served as Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.