New chapter opens for Sino-Indian relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-16-2008 13:10

During Manmohan Singh's visit, China and India signed a strategic joint statement, established new trade targets and planned military exchanges.

This was Singh''s first visit to China since he assumed office. And it was also the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister in the last five years.

This was Singh's first visit to China since he assumed office. And it was also the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister in the last five years.

Economic and trade ties were a focus of Singh's visit. Singh and his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, signed documents on a shared vision for the 21st century, as well as 10 other papers and memoranda of understanding including cooperation in various fields.

And both sides agreed to increase the 2010 trade volume target to 60 billion US dollars from the current 40 billion dollars. Singh said India will work with China to simplify regulations and remove trade barriers.

Singh also addressed the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a government think-tank. On the issue of border disputes Singh said he hopes the set of Political Parameters and Guiding Principles reached in 2005 will enable the two countries to find a satisfactory solution.

Singh spoke to reporters after his return to India.

Manmohan Singh said, "I cannot say at this stage whether this can be resolved in a few months. Progress has been made. Both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen assured me that they have the political will to make the necessary decision and we decided to instruct our special representatives to accelerate the search for a positive framework which will resolve the issue."

Joint military drills are also expected to be held in India this year. The two countries held their first-ever joint exercises in China at the end of last year.

Editor:Zhang Ning