Modi leaves China; heads to Mongolian capital on maiden visit

SHANGHAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left Shanghai for Mongolia after wrapping up his first-ever visit to China where he held talks with the country's top leadership and signed key agreements to boost bilateral ties, including trade.

"Goodbye China! My gratitude for the warmth and hospitality. Will always remember my visit fondly," the Prime Minister tweeted.

"Let's make India-China ties even stronger in the years to come," he said in another tweet.

Modi, who was on a three-day maiden visit to China as the first stop of his three-nation tour, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping besides his counterpart Li Keqiang.

Yesterday, India and China signed a record 24 agreements in key sectors, including in railways and education.

Both the countries agreed to seek a "political" solution to the border dispute at the earliest as Modi asked Beijing to "reconsider its approach on some issues" and announced Confidence Building Measures like e-visa for Chinese tourists and operationalisation of hotline between the two militaries.

Today, on his last day of his visit here, a total 26 business agreements worth over $22 billion were signed between Indian firms and their Chinese counterparts.

On the second leg of his visit, Modi will visit Mongolia to become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.

The Prime Minister will meet Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.