Sonia achieves many firsts during China visit

SHANGHAI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday wound up her visit to China, becoming the first world leader to meet the newly-elected Chinese leadership and renewing Sino-Indian friendship, which her late husband, Rajiv, had given an impetus 19 years ago.

Gandhi met Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was re-elected as the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China on October 22.

"You are the first foreign political leader to visit China after the conclusion of 17th National Congress which is an indication of importance both of us have attached to our relations," Hu told Gandhi during their meeting.

Again, in Shanghai, China's commercial capital, Gandhi was the first foreign dignitary to meet the new Communist Party Secretary, Yu Zhengsheng, who was appointed to the post only on Saturday.

Both Hu and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao were effusive in their praise for late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, describing him as an 'outstanding statesman,' who had made contribution not only to India but also to the strengthening of Sino-Indian relations.

Rajiv Gandhi, along with Sonia had paid a ground-breaking visit to China in December 1988, which normalised Sino-Indian relations after the setbacks in 1962.

"Sonia has visited the political capital and we have also visited the cultural capital, Xian and we are also visiting the commercial capital, Shanghai and has met with the top most Chinese leadership," senior Congress Party leader, Karan Singh said.

"I think the visit has considerable significance, especially since this is the first foreign political party being received after the Communist Party of China's 17th National Congress. Very warm sentiments were expressed on both sides. I would say that it is a helpful visit and will pave the way for better understanding in the future," Singh said.

"It has been an extremely productive visit. Sonia was the first foreign leader to be received by President Hu after his re-election as CPC General Secretary. This was a point made by all the Chinese leaders we have met. Obviously, the Chinese government has given the highest priority to the Congress Party delegation from India," Minister in the PMO Office, Prithviraj Chavan said.

"The Congress President was particularly impressed by the fast-paced developments in China since the country's opening-up and liberalisation. President Hu met the delegation for over two hours, including a banquet and touched upon the common problems facing both the countries and offered to work together in meeting the challenges," Chavan said.

Bilateral issues were only broadly touched upon and it was left to the two governments to discuss these, he said, adding Sonia Gandhi's visit has renewed the very warm relationship that India had with China ever since Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1988.

Commenting on Gandhi's visit and meetings with the top Chinese leadership, senior Congress leader and Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma said it was a significant event for his Party as well as for Sino-Indian relations.