'Bilateral relationship between China and India positive': Krishna

New Delhi, Mar 1 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi here in the backdrop of Beijing's objection over Defence Minister A K Antony's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, today said he had wide-ranging discussions with the visiting dignitary, and added that the bilateral relationship between China and India is progressing on a positive note.

"The bilateral relationship between China and India is on a positive note. It is based around the concept that we have a strategic cooperative partnership with China, and that strategic partnership needs to be strengthened and that partnership needs to be broadened and that partnership needs to be more meaningful. So, we discussed as to how that partnership could be strengthened by our efforts on both the sides," said Krishna.

"And, we have discussed the bilateral issues and every possible issue that is raised whenever a China and India dialogue takes place. We have understood each other's position and we have understood the perspectives, and, we will continue to exchange these views," he added.

Antony visited Arunachal Pradesh last month to participate in the 25th statehood celebrations.

Krishna further said the visit of Jiechi assumes importance, as it comes ahead of the BRICS Summit that takes place at the end of March.

"The Foreign Minister of China is coming to India just on the eve of the summit of the BRICS that is taking place in the end of March. And, we are looking forward to the heads of states from various countries of the BRICS, and in this process we discussed the details as to what has been done," said Krishna.

"Mr. Vyas, who is the Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who is in-charge of the BRICS Summit, did explain the various aspects of the preparations and the Foreign Minister (of China) is fully convinced of the preparatory work that has gone on in India," he added.

India will host the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on March 28 and 29 with the theme "BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity".

BRICS is a unique grouping of countries with the capacity and the political will to engage with the global community and contribute in a meaningful manner to global well-being, stability and growth.

Formalized at the first meeting of the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India and China on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2006, the group has come a long way in a relatively short span of time and has evolved mechanisms for consultation and cooperation in a variety of relevant sectors.

South Africa joined the group at the third summit in Sanya, China in April 2011. (ANI)