Chinese Premier Li Keqiang heads to India to seek improved ties after border standoff

NEW DELHI – NEW DELHI (AP) — Just weeks after a tense border standoff, China's new premier is heading to India on his first foreign trip as the neighboring giants look to expedite efforts to settle a decades-old boundary dispute and boost economic ties.

China says Li Keqiang's choice of India for his first trip abroad since taking office in March shows the importance Beijing attaches to improving relations with New Delhi.

India claimed Chinese troops crossed the countries' de facto border April 15 and pitched camp in the Depsang valley in eastern Kashmir. The two sides negotiated a peaceful end to the standoff by pulling back troops to their original positions.

Jasjit Singh, a defense analyst, says the border incident is unlikely to overshadow Li's visit, which runs Sunday through Tuesday.