Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday said his country placed "importance" to friendly ties with India as reflected by Congress president Sonia Gandhi's [Images] visit, the first by a foreign political party leader after the recent leadership changes in Beijing [Images].

"You are the first foreign political leader to visit China after the conclusion of 17th National Congress (on October 22 of the ruling CPC), which is an indication of the importance both of us have attached to our relations," Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China told Sonia during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Hu, who was recently re-elected as party boss, said that he still had fresh memories of his last visit to India in November 2006 and vividly remembered the warm reception given by the Indian government and the people of India.