New Delhi:Describing India and China as friends, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said he was here to strengthen strategic cooperation and chart a course for future.

After being accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan here, Hu said the purpose of his visit was to increase mutual trust and expand cooperation with India.

"India and China are friends. The purpose of my visit is to strengthen friendship, increase mutual trust, expand cooperation and chart a course for future," Hu said after receiving the guard of honour presented by the three wings of the armed forces at the imposing presidential palace.

"I am looking forward to indepth discussions with Indian leaders on bilateral matters and issues of shared interests," he told reporters.

Hu said he was looking forward to working together with Indian leaders for further development of strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries.

President A P J Abdul Kalam welcomed Hu at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

After some warm handshakes, Hu stood in attention on a decorated platform at the forecourt as a military band played the national anthems of the two countries.

After the ceremony, Hu was introduced to cabinet ministers by the Prime Minister and later visited Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, to offer his respects.

Among those present included External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.