Krishna holds talks with Chinese vice premier

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday held a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Li Kaqiang, and discussed bilateral relations with the leader, who is tipped to become the prime minister of China next year.

Welcoming Krishna at the Great Hall of People, Li said though Krishna's visit was intended to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organistion summit being held in Beijing, it provided an opportunity to discuss bilateral ties.

This is an important opportunity to enhance the relations, he said after the meeting that lasted 45 minutes. Reciprocating the sentiments, Krishna recalled the recent visit of President Hu Jintao to New Delhi to take part in the BRICS summit and the positive momentum it had helped maintain in bilateral ties.

Krishna is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi on Thursday.

Earlier, Krishna met the two Indian traders, Shyam Sunder Agrawal and Deepak Raheja, who have been stranded in Yiwu after being caught in a business dispute.

This is his second meeting with them. Krishna earlier met them during his visit to Beijing in February this year. The two said the minister assured all help to fight their legal case.