Indian President Begins Rare State Visit To China

Indian President Pratibha Patil

Indian President Pratibha Patil is expected to discuss bilateral trade disputes and recent border tensions in meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing today.

Patil's six-day visit to China is the first by an Indian head of state in a decade, an illustration of how ties remain cool almost 50 years after the two countries fought a brief border war in 1962.

India has recently beefed up its military presence along the frontier following accusations of increasing incursions by Chinese troops.

China has become India's largest trading partner, but Indians frequently complain about a flood of Chinese exports that account for about two-thirds of bilateral trade.

compiled from agency reports