MODI, XI DISCUSS EFFORTS TO DEEPEN TIES OVER PHONE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping over phone on his re-election for another five years and discussed efforts by both the countries to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Modi is perhaps the first foreign leader to have spoken to Xi as the Chinese President began his second five-year term after his election by China's Parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which concluded its annual session on Tuesday.

The two leaders held the telephonic conversation at Modi's invitation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, a day after the Indian Prime Minister congratulated Xi on Chinese social media.

Both India and China are ancient civilisations with global influence, Modi said, adding that India will work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to further a closer developmental partnership between the two countries and promote global and regional peace and development, according to the report.

Xi appreciated Modi's congratulations, saying the justconcluded annual sessions of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have achieved great success.

Modi said that Xi's re-election shows that he enjoys the support of the whole Chinese nation, the report said. Xi briefed Modi on the annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC.

At the sessions, a new state leadership and leadership of the CPPCC National Committee were elected, important proposals such as constitutional amendments were approved, while a new round of institutional restructuring of the State Council (Cabinet) has started, Xi told Modi. China will deepen its reform and opening up, he said, adding that China, while realising its own development, will make greater contribution to the common development and progress of the world, he said.