These experiences will enable him to better connect with Chinese leaders.

"Given that Washington is drawing New Delhi to its side on security, the visit of Mukherjee ... will help to advance bilateral cooperation in all fields and eliminate disagreements," Fu said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to attend the G20 summit in September, which will be followed by the BRICS summit in the Indian city of Goa, which Xi will probably attend.

Fu said, "The visits by leaders of the two nations this year will help to consolidate bilateral political trust, boost economic ties and facilitate people-to-people exchanges."

Mukherjee arrived in Beijing on Wednesday from Guangzhou after addressing a China-India business forum attended by leading Chinese and Indian businessmen.

He gave a speech at Peking University on Thursday morning and will leave for home on Friday.

Contact the writers at qinjize@chinadaily.com.cn