Tuesday, April 12 2005 21:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Reaching out to the youth in New Delhi, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao today (Apr 12, 2005) said his country would host 100 students from India on a reciprocal basis and advocated enhanced exchange of scholars.

Addressing the students of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, Wen established a rapport with them as he engaged in an interaction. While charming the audience, he was visibly impressed by the calibre of knowledge of the Indian students and stature of the educational institutes in India.

"Youth hold hope for future of our countries. I would like to see further increase in the quota for Indian students for studies in China and the same can be done by India," the Chinese Premier said in the address which was marked by repeated cheering by the audience.

During his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, he said he had proposed that China will invite 100 students from India for a study tour. India will also host the same number of Chinese students.

"I hope young people of the two countries will stand together and work hand-in-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder for better future," he said before returning home after a four-day visit to India.

Apparently geared up to impress the student community, Wen began his address by saying that he was happy to be among young people here "because I feel much younger here," a comment that drew an all-round applause.