Beijing: Top Chinese leader and former President Jiang Zemin on April 26 underlined the need for enhancing Sino-India bilateral ties, including military ones, which was in the "fundamental interest" of the two countries.

During an hour-long meeting with visiting Defence Minister George Fernandes, Jiang, who heads the Army, said the people of China and India enjoy long-term friendship and exchanges and co-operation between the two countries in all fields have showed good momentum in recent years.

Jiang recalled his friendly visit to India in 1996, during which the leaders of the two countries decided to develop a 21st Century-oriented constructive and co-operative relationship, thus guiding the growth of bilateral ties in the new century.

"As China and India are the two largest developing nations and also neighbours, to develop bilateral relations is in the fundamental interest of the two countries," Jiang said.

Later, Fernandes said he was deeply satisfied with his first-ever visit to China, and especially the frank exchange of views he had with Jiang on matters of mutual concern and interest that would help in drawing a road map for future bilateral ties.

Asked whether Jiang, who was till last month the Chinese President and general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), had renewed the pending invitation for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to visit China later this year, Fernandes replied in the affirmative.

PTI