President Patil's Chinese soujourn begins

Image: President Pratibha Patil is welcomed by children at Beijing Airport
Photographs: Press Information Bureau

India has sought China's support for its bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council during a meeting between President Pratibha Patil and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Bejing. Patil, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday on a six-day visit to China, was welcomed warmly by Wen at the Purple Light Pavilion.

Sources said Patil sought China's support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. India has been seeking support from several countries for its bid for the permanent membership. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who visited China last month, had also sought China's support in this regard.

Patil and Wen also discussed bilateral issues, particularly trade and commerce between the two countries.

Patil had yesterday indicated that she will raise the issue of India's bid for a permanent UNSC seat during her meetings with Chinese leadership and hoped that India will be considered for the membership.

Patil will inaugurate a Buddhist temple during the trip

Image: China's President Hu Jintao shows the way to India's President Pratibha Patil
Photographs: Petar Kujundzic/Reuters

China, which is one of the five veto-wielding members of the powerful UN Security Council along with the US, UK, Russia and France, has been saying that it supports India's aspirations to play an important role at the UN, but wants an overall reform of the world body.

Earlier, Wen warmly welcomed Patil and described her visit here as "significant" as it coincided with the 60th year of establishment of Sino-India diplomatic ties.

"It is a great pleasure to have you here. Let me welcome you to China. You are the first (Indian) President to visit in a decade," Wen said, while welcoming Patil. The Chinese Premier said the visit is "significant" as it comes at a time when the two countries are commemorating the 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Referring to the Indian-style Buddhist temple in Loyang in central China, which Patil will inaugurate during her trip, Wen said this is yet another effort by the two countries to promote friendly relations.

'I am very pleased to visit China'

Image: President Pratibha Patil talks with China's Premier Wen Jiabao during a meeting at Zhongnanhai in Beijing
Photographs: Petar Kujundzic/Reuters

In her remarks, Patil said: "I am very much pleased to visit you in China and I thank for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation. Excellent arrangements have been made for the visit and I thank you for that." She also referred to Wen's last visit to India.

"We cherish your visit to India and remember your constructive role in building a strategic partnership between the two countries," she said. Patil met President Hu Jintao later in the day. While Patil was assisted by Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahay, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador S Jaishankar, the Chinese team included Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and senior officials.

The President met her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao later in the day. President Hu accorded her a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People.However, chilly, damp weather forced the president's office to move the ceremony indoors.

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