New Delhi: Citing the shared legacy of ancient civilisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and China were bound by an “unbreakable bond” and advocated that the two countries should know and understand each other better.

The Prime Minister said India and China had had “some bond of relationship” for thousands of years pointing towards the centuries-old connection between the two.

“In this century, once again we have to give something to the world, say something. For this, it is important that we look at each other, know and understand (each other),” he said in a video message to the “Visit India Year 2015” event held in Beijing.

“Currently, we are bound by an unbreakable bond,” he said.

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The Prime Minister said when the two countries came together; people would travel to and fro in large numbers.

Mr Modi said he had personal connection with China as he hails from a village in Gujarat’s Vadnagar, which the famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang had visited.

“These things are not just history, but reflect a special bond,” he added.

Modi said that the shared history between India and China was more than just history and reflected a special bond.

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Mr Modi said he had been to China earlier and his experience had been very good. “I read a lot of books about China, but my experience was unique,” Mr Modi said.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in Beijing and said China and India have taken “solid steps” to make progress in bilateral ties besides implementing the agreements reached between him and Mr Modi.

Ms Swaraj told Mr Xi, “PM Mr Modi has extended his very best greetings for the Chinese Lunar Year of Sheep. Your visit to India was associated with creativity and innovation based on which the two nations explored new ways forward.