India's relationship with China is of cooperation and competition, says Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi: Presenting a three-month report card of her department, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday stated that India's relationship with China is one of cooperation and competition.

"We have very good relations with China but I must articulate that our relationship is that of cooperation and competition... When PM Modi met President Xi Jingping in Portuguesa, they had a very good equation," Sushma Swaraj said.

“I think the outcome of this visit will be substantial and solid,” she said about the Chinese president's visit scheduled later this month.

She also added that India has sent out some strong messages since the new government took over. It had called off foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan over its envoy insisting on holding discussions with Kashmiri separatist leaders.

She also said that New Delhi did some plain-speak with the US on reports that its National Security Agency had spied on ruling party BJP. "We told the US you call us a friend and spy on us?" Ms Swaraj said.

The Narendra Modi government, she said, set the tone for a vigorous foreign policy on the very first day of work when the Prime Minister and she held bilateral talks with leaders of eight neighbouring countries who attended Mr Modi's swearing-in ceremony the previous day.