Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.153

v1.c4.s2.153

The visit of the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China from December 19-23, 1988, marked the resumption of high level ties and a significant step towards normalisation of relations between India and China. Apart from meeting the Chinese Premier Li Peng, Gandhi also met Deng Xiaoping and other important Chinese leaders. Agreements were signed on science and technology cooperation, civil air transport and cultural exchange and cooperation. Thereafter, exchange of visits by the top leaders of both countries developed rapidly and has become the norm. Among the important such visits that have taken place in subsequent years are those of Premier Li Peng (1991), President R. Venkataraman (1992), Prime Minister Narasimha Rao (1993), President Jiang Zemin (1996) President Narayanan (2000), Premier Zhu Rongji (2002), Prime Minister Vajpayee (2003), Premier Wen Jiabao (2005, 2010), President Hu Jintao (2006), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2008, 2013) and President Pratibha Patel (2010). A very large number of agreements have been signed between the two countries to enhance their levels of cooperation in diverse spheres and also towards the maintenance of peace on the borders.