China on Friday formally conveyed its congratulations to Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting the Indian Ambassador here specifically to convey the wishes of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese leadership.

Wang told Ambassador Ashok Kantha that China was keen “to strengthen” ties with the new government set to take office in New Delhi.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is expected to directly speak to Modi following his official swearing-in on May 26. The Chinese government is keen to reciprocate the fact that India was among the first countries to formally wish the new leadership under President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang following their taking over in March last year.

Xi is expected to make his first visit to India as President this year, with the trip being seen by Chinese officials as laying the groundwork to craft a new chapter in ties with Modi’s government.

In Friday’s meeting, Ambassador Kantha also expressed India’s “strong condemnation” of Thursday’s terror attack on Urumqi, in western Xinjiang, that left at least 31 people killed, saying India opposed “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”.

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