BRICS summit will put Goa on higher pedestal: Wang Yi

PANAJI: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today arrived in Goa to discuss about preparations for the BRICS summit scheduled for October, and said the event will put the coastal state on a higher pedestal.

Yi, after landing in Goa, met Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar at the state secretariat where both the leaders discussed about preparations for the forthcoming summit.

The meeting lasted for over an hour.

"I have come here because BRICS summit is being held in Goa. I have seen friendly sentiments from the people of Goa," Yi told reporters in the presence of Parsekar.

"Goa has a beautiful landscape, beaches and people. Goa is one of the best in the world. I am sure BRICS summit will put Goa at a higher pedestal," he said.

He said, "India and China are good friends and good partners."

The Goa Chief Minister said he had a discussion with Yi over breakfast.

He said Goa and China have long standing relations, with iron ore from the coastal state being exported to the neighbouring country.

"We can also tie up with China in the field of education and technology. We can attract investment from China in the Information Technology," Parsekar said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has bestowed faith on Goa by offering us to host BRICS summit," the CM said.

During his day-long tour, Yi is expected to meet state Governor Mridula Sinha and visit Aguada plateau, about 10 km from Panaji.