Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee awarded a national prize to Chinese linguist Ji Xianlin on Friday to honor his outstanding contribution to China-India cultural exchanges.

Ji, born in 1911, has contributed significantly to the research on ancient Indian aboriginal languages, primeval Buddhist languages and Sanskritic literature. He also translated works on ancient Indian and primeval Buddhist languages.

"I am greatly honored to award the prize to you on behalf of our president," Mukherjee told Ji at the Beijing-based General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, where Ji has resided for five years.

He praised Ji's research over the years on Indian literature and his great contribution to strengthening India-China friendship.

The Padma Award is the highest award of the Indian government for those who make remarkable achievements in the areas of science, arts, literature and learning.

Mukherjee pinned the prize medal on Ji's shirt and gave him a prize scroll.

"I'll be 100 years old in two years, but I believe it is a starting point rather than an ending," Ji told Mukherjee.

"As long as I still have energy, I will continue to commit myself to strengthening the friendship between the two great countries and civilizations," he added.

Ji stressed China-India friendship concerned the whole world. "The deeper their friendship is, the more it benefits people of the world."

It was Mukherjee's first visit to China since he took up his post. During his four-day stay, he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, and delivered a speech at Beijing University.

He also attended the opening ceremony of the India consulate in southern China's Guangzhou province.

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