Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body, met with the largest ever Indian youth delegation to China Tuesday.

 

The delegation's visit marks the beginning of large-scale exchanges between the young people of both countries, based on the consensus reached between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart during Wen's visit to India in April, 2005.

 

Luo also briefed the delegation on China's economic development and foreign policy.

 

The delegation, led by Madhukar Gupta, deputy minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry of India, comprised 100 young political leaders, entrepreneurs, local governmental officials, artists and student representatives.

 

Gupta hailed the visit as "a big opportunity for us to study the different aspects of China."

 

Apart from Beijing, the delegates will visit Shanghai, Xi'an and Guangzhou.

 

The delegation's visit is also part of the ongoing activities celebrating the 2006 China-India Friendship Year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2006)