BEIJING: The attempt to enhance ties between India and China gained momentum on Tuesday with Beijing confirming Chinese President Hu Jintao’s plans to visit India later this year. The confirmation came from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo during the course of his talks with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. A possible visit by the Chinese president has been in the air for several months but this is the first time that Beijing has confirmed it.

The visit by Hu, who is also the secretary-general of the Chinese Communist Party, is expected to hasten the process of settling the border dispute between the two countries. The decision on Hu’s visit comes in the wake of several positive developments including a recent visit to China by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the decision to open the Nathu La pass and the ongoing visit of the Indian parliamentary team.

Wu Bangguo, the No.2 in the CCP and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, is also expected to visit India soon at the invitation of the Speaker.—By arrangement with The Times of India