China and India are the world’s two most populous countries but ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours are still characterised by mutual suspicion, in large part as a legacy of a brief but bloody war in 1962 and a continuing border dispute.
But Swaraj was similarly effusive, telling Xi that “relations between our two countries have risen to a whole new level”.
The Indian and Russian ministers’ trips to Beijing -- for a three-way meeting with their Chinese counterpart -- came after Obama last week visited India.
The US and India share an interest in curbing Beijing’s growing regional influence.
Although neither mentioned China by name during the three-day visit, Obama welcomed what he called a “greater role for India in the Asia-Pacific”.
Freedom of navigation in the region must be upheld, he added.
Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
To Lavrov, meanwhile, Xi expressed his satisfaction with China-Russia ties.
Beijing and Moscow, allies and then adversaries during the Cold War, have found common ground internationally and often take similar stands at the UN Security Council where they have permanent veto powers.
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