Krishna and Yang met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Minister's Summit in this resort island to review the bilateral ties.
Notwithstanding their differences on the boundary question, India and China today vowed to deepen their multi-faceted ties for a "lasting friendship" as external affairs minister SM Krishna met his counterpart Yang Jiechi here.
During his first interaction with Yang on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meet in this resort island, Krishna said the two leaders would be in close touch and "use the phone" as and when required as part of building ties.
"I had useful, cordial and friendly exchange of views with my Chinese counterpart," Krishna told reporters after the meeting during which they reviewed the bilateral ties and took stock of multilateral issues like climate change, Doha round of WTO talks and the upcoming G-20 Summit on economic meltdown on which the two countries have similarity of views.
"We reciprocated mutual desire to deepen the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries," he said.
Yang said he was looking forward to the visit of president Pratibha Patil to China later this year.
Expressing his deep sense of appreciation for the invitation from the Chinese Government to Patil, Krishna said: "These (high-level exchanges) serve the purpose of trying to understand each other better and in forging lasting friendship and partnership in the region."
"I look forward to working closely with my Chinese counterpart," Krishna said.
He said the two sides also expressed satisfaction at the bilateral trade, which is estimated to touch USD 60 billion by next year.
To a question, Krishna said India and China are competitors but there is enough space for both to grow. On whether the border issue was discussed during the talks, he replied in the negative.
The two countries have differences on the boundary issue because of which China recently tried to block ADB aid for a project in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Krishna-Yang meeting came ahead of the 13th round of border talks between India and China in New Delhi on August 7 and 8.
The external affairs minister said he was impressed with the warmth shown by the Chinese leader and he assured him that they will be in "close touch" with each other.
Krishna said he can keep in touch with his Chinese counterpart over phone. His Chinese counterpart appreciated his statement.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}