He made India the first destination on his first foreign visit since China’s leadership change in March. He said the choice showed the importance Beijing attached to ties with New Delhi.
The two countries, both nuclear armed and with populations exceeding one billion people each, cooperate economically as members of the so called BRICS emerging group along with Brazil, Russia and South Africa.
Last month, India’s National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon held negotiations on the boundary issue with his counterparts in Beijing.
According to the joint statement, the two sides will also increase ship visits by their navies and high-level visits by their air forces.
Also Saturday, Antony and Yang Jiechi, a top Chinese foreign policy official, held talks and said both countries should work together to ensure peace along the border, Xinhua reported.
Yang, a member of the State Council, or cabinet, is an influential figure in diplomatic policy who served until March as foreign minister.
Yang told Antony that both sides should make efforts to preserve peace and tranquility in their border areas, the report said.
Antony echoed Yang, saying India was willing to work with China towards such a purpose, Xinhua said.