(New Delhi) – China’s new premier has headed to India for his first foreign trip as the neighboring giants look to speed up 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.
Shortly after his arrival in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Li met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During the meeting, both the sides sought to focus on the opportunities for cooperation between their nations. ‘‘Both the prime minister and I believe that there are far more shared interests between China and India than the differences we have. Without the common development of China and India, Asia won’t become strong and the world won’t become a better place” Li said at a joint news conference.
‘‘I shared with Premier Li my view that the rise of China and India is good for the world and that the world has enough space to accommodate the growth aspirations of both our peoples. To make this a reality, it is important to build understanding between our two peoples. We agreed that both sides must work to strengthen greater trust and confidence, which, in turn, will permit much larger cooperation” Singh said.
Two sides signed eight minor agreements. But both leaders insisted the cooperation was important, and they promised to build on it, announcing that Singh would make a visit to China later in the year.
