On June 4, 2002, President Jiang Zemin met with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

President Jiang Zemin recalled with pleasure his friendly visit to India in 1996. He said that China and India have a long history of exchanges. They have witnessed smooth development of relations over the past several years and as two major developing countries, they share more common ground than disputes. Noting that Vajpayee will visit China this year, Jiang said Vajpayee is welcome to visit China.

Pleased to see President Jiang, Vajpayee said he is earnestly looking forward to visiting China and exchanging in-depth views with Chinese leaders on further development of bilateral relations. India hopes that under the five principles of peaceful coexistence, a long-term stable friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with China can be established.

On the issue of the South Asian situation, Jiang said that recent tension between India and Pakistan has caused worldwide concern. Jiang Quoted a Chinese saying that peace benefits both sides while fighting hurts both, and said that helping to make and promote peace is China's consistent position. President Jiang said that many problems in the world, left over by history, are rather complicated. The Chinese side sincerely hopes that India and Pakistan will resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation.