China formally congratulates PM-designate Narendra Modi

China has formally congratulated Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Friday following his party's resounding victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

In a message conveyed to Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and developing a cooperative partnership.

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, to be held at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan, will take place on Monday and is likely to be attended by as many as 3,000 guests.

India has invited leaders of all South Asian countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to the oath-taking ceremony.