Beijing: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election for a third term, saying Beijing is ready to work with India to "push bilateral relations in the right direction".

In a message, Li said that sound and stable development of China-India relations is not only conducive to the well-being of the two peoples, but also injects stability and positive energy into the region and the world, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Li said that China is ready to work together with India to push bilateral relations in the right direction.

Modi was sworn in as prime minister for a record third time on Sunday, heading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on June 5 congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the victory of the BJP-led NDA alliance in the general elections, saying the two countries should look to the future to put bilateral relations, which have been stalled since the Galwan incident four years ago, on a healthy and stable track.

Relations between the two countries had hit a low except for trade since the east Ladakh border standoff began following a violent clash in the Pangong Tso (lake) area near Galwan on May 5, 2020.

"We have noted the results of the Indian general election and congratulate the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their victory," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a media briefing here.

Mao, responding to a question by official media seeking China's comment on Modi's victory, said healthy and stable China-India relations are in the interest of both countries and are conducive to peace and development in the region and beyond.

He said that China is ready to work together with India to take into account the fundamental interests of the two peoples, bear in mind the overall interest of our relations, look to the future and push bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track.

A day later, China protested Prime Minister Modi's remarks that he was keen to build close ties with Taiwan.

Modi's remarks came in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's congratulatory message on his electoral victory.

China views Taiwan as a rebellious province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force.

India has been pressing the People's Liberation Army to withdraw from the Depsang and Demchok areas and says that as long as the situation on the border remains abnormal, normality in its relations with China cannot be restored.

On the other hand, China maintains that the boundary question does not represent the entirety of China-India relations, and should be properly placed and managed in bilateral relations.

As the Modi government begins its third term, the 22nd round of Corps Commander-level talks is expected to focus on resolving the impasse over the withdrawal of troops in the Depsang and Demchok areas to revive ties.

Ahead of India's parliamentary elections, China last month appointed senior diplomat Xu Feihong as its new ambassador to New Delhi after an 18-month delay.