China's defence minister Wei Fenghe (AFP photo)

BEIJING: Chinese minister of national defence Wei Fenghe will pay an official goodwill visit to India this year, the ministry announced on Thursday.

The announcement came on a day when Pakistan saw a revamping of the political scene with Imran Khan emerging as the possible PM. The Chinese minister would be interested in assessing India's approach to Pakistan.

China wants to help the new ruler in Pakistan to settle down without facing any challenges from India. Any disturbance in India-Pakistan relationship has the potential of harming the China Pakistan Economic Corridor on which Beijing is investing $60 billion.

Wei was invited by Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman , the ministry's spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said. It is normal for ministers to invite each other to visit their respective countries.

Lieutenant general Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, led a border defence delegation to visit India between July 2 and 6 fortalks with Indian military officials, Ren said.

The two sides have reached consensus on many topics, including implementing the consensus reached by state leaders of both countries, strengthening border risk management and control, expanding joint exercises and training at the tactical level, enhancing cultural exchanges, and jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the border areas, Ren said.

