China is willing to cooperate with India so that friendliness and reciprocity will always be the main theme of the bilateral relationship, said Premier Li Keqiang when he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Nov 13.

President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India recently, and the ties between the two countries have gained new development, said Li.

Additionally, China is willing to enhance practical cooperation with India in a comprehensive manner, and strengthen communication and coordination with India in international and regional affairs, so as to benefit billions of people in the two countries and in the region, he added.

Li invited Modi to visit China early next year.

In May 2013, Li made an official visit to India.

Premier Li Keqiang meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Nov. 13, 2014.[Photo by Li Tao/Xinhua]

India was the first destination for Li’s official foreign visits as premier. Li was also the first foreign leader to have spoken with Modi on the phone after Modi took office as India’s prime minister.

The bilateral cooperation benefits not only people in the two countries, but also in the region , and President Xi’s visit to India has yielded plenty of fruit, Modi said during the meeting.

During Xi’s visit to the country in September, China agreed to invest $20 billion in Indian industrial and infrastructure projects over the next five years.

The $20 billion investment will go to important projects such as construction of industrial parks and renovation and expansion of railways in India, said Le Yucheng, Chinese ambassador to India, during the Round Table Discussion on APEC held on Nov 4 in New Delhi.

“Indian people will soon be able to enjoy quality yet reasonably priced products made by Chinese companies in India, as well as the contribution Chinese power enterprises will make to help India guarantee a 24/7 power supply,” Le said. “Also, hopefully, they will enjoy fast and comfortable high-speed railway service. Thousands and thousands of Indians will get jobs offered by Chinese enterprises.”

China has also decided that it will open the Nathula Pass to accommodate Indians who make pilgrimages to Tibet.

Lou Chunhao, a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said: “China and India are the two largest developing countries, and this is the largest common interest for them. It’s not that there are no discrepancies between the two countries, but they can manage them in a relatively good manner, and expand their cooperation.”