The significance of China and India's embrace is not confined to their border but has positive implications for the region and the world, an article in a Chinese daily said today.
Commenting on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's three-day visit to China last week, the article published in the state-run China Daily said, that it was "by any standard a significant and fruitful" trip.
"The Joint Statement the two countries issued unequivocally illustrated an encouraging picture of fast developing bilateral relations and the level to which the two neighbours and world's most populous nations are ready to enhance their relations," the article titled "China-India jointly enter new era", said.
"The significance of the two Asian giants' embrace is not confined to their border, but has positive implications for the region and the world at large," it said.
Besides signing agreements on economic cooperation, the article said the countries emphasised the strategic nature of their partnership as demonstrated by the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement and the arrangements for joint military exercises.
"Because of the unresolved border issue, it used to be common for international observers to make skeptical judgements about relations between China and India and the so-called rivalry between the two Asian powers," the article said.
"But now they are having to rapidly re-adjust their views," it said.
"Their political will and determination to strengthen strategic ties was not just embodied in the formal document, but also apparent in the cordial reception offered by the host Premier Li Keqiang, who accompanied his Indian guest on a relaxed tour of the Forbidden City," the article said.
It noted that the visit was symbolic, as the historical and cultural associations of the imperial palace was a reminder of the fact that both China and India are great civilisations, with the wisdom and vitality to enable them to march confidently into the future together.
The article said that the two countries will "undoubtedly play a more dynamic role in regional and global affairs if they act as partners working together as stabilisers for the common good of Asia and the world.
