Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, capital of India, May 19, 2013. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

For his part, Singh said the Indian government and Indian people feel honored to have Li pick India as the first stop of his maiden trip abroad.

He said there is enough space in the world for the common development of India and China, adding that the two countries are partners, not opponents.

Singh said cooperation between India and China has much significance for world peace and prosperity.

India highly values its ties with China and is ready to work with China to advance their practical cooperation, manage and control border disputes, and lift their strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, he said.