High-level visits indicative of China-India moving closer: SM Krishna

External affairs minister SM Krishna today said the recent high-level visits between India and China, including president Pratibha Patil's ongoing trip, were indicative of both countries moving closer.

"The recent high-level visits, including the all important visit of the president to China is an indication of the fact that the two countries are closer... moving closer," Krishna told reporters here.

He said high-level visits would help further strengthen the relationship between the two Asian giants.

Asked whether China's "warming up" to India's quest for a permanent seat in UN security council during Patil's visit was
an indication of a shift by Beijing, he said, "Relationship between two countries is a dynamic one. It is not static and with China we have a strategic partnership and our relationship is based on mutual respect and mutual trust".

Top Chinese leadership had supported India's aspirations
of becoming a permanent member of the UN security council
during Patil's discussions with the leaders yesterday.

Patil, the first Indian head of state to visit China in a decade, held wide-ranging discussions with her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao as well as premier Wen Jiabao.

Krishna also described his recent trip to China to participate in the celebration of the 60th year of opening up of diplomatic relationship between India and China as "quite satisfying".