Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) rotates a spinning wheel that was once used by Mahatma Gandhi as he visits Gandhi's former residence along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, India, Sept 17, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi's visit to India

President Xi and wife play swing in Modi's home state

Xi visits Modi's home state, extends birthday wishes

Xi, Modi set formality aside, setting friendly tone for visit

President Xi Jinping is expected to take Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his home province of Shaanxi to repay the hospitality he received in the Indian Prime Minister's home state last September, according the Press Trust of India news agency.

During the three-day visit from Saturday to Tuesday in Beijing, India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said India attaches great importance to bilateral ties and Modi is willing to pay a visit to China in May and her visit is "a preparatory visit" for the upcoming leaders' summit between the two countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Modi's home state of Gujarat last September, wearing traditional Indian vest presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and extended wishes on his 64th birthday.

Xi and Modi have met with each other three times since last year, Swaraj said, adding that it shows a high-level development of bilateral ties.

Both leaders called for advancing bilateral ties "step by step" and "inch by inch" in their second meeting in about two months. The two met in July in Brazil at a summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS.

President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a continued advancement of ties between China and India when he received Swaraj at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Leaders of the two countries should maintain communication and exchanges and work together to ensure the correct direction for the development of the bilateral ties," Xi said.

Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi looked forward to visiting China and she believed this visit would bring important progress for the relationship. The Indian side hopes for more dialogue on border issues, she added.

Swaraj also held talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on bilateral ties in Beijing on Sunday, stressing that India

would like to make joint efforts with China to strengthen understanding and mutual trust, properly handle the differences, advance comprehensive cooperation and sound coordination in international and regional affairs.

As the second largest economy, China is the largest neighboring country of India, Swaraj said, noting that India and China have broad common interests and both countries can benefit from each other's development.

Wang made some suggestions on bilateral ties in 2015. He said China and India should continue to keep high-level visits and strategic communication open, and China welcomes Modi's to visit China this year.