Singh,Wen: Let problems not hit ties

Singh started the meeting,sources said,by saying,I am excited to see you. To this,Wen reciprocated in Mandarin.

Singh indicated that the issues that have come up in the recent monthsbusiness visas for Chinese workers,building of dams on the Brahmaputra and Dalai Lamas visit to Arunachal Pradeshshould be properly handled through discussions. Sources said the areas of convergence include economic relations and climate change. China did not raise Arunachal Pradesh or Dalai Lama in the meeting.

Ravi said the bilateral talks were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The Prime Minister agreed with the Chinese Prime Ministers assertion that our partnership is in the interest of the region and the whole world, he said.

Singh proposed to his Chinese counterpart that both sides should observe the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations in a befitting manner. He said President Pratibha Patil was looking forward to visiting China on mutually convenient dates next year. Reciprocating the Prime Ministers sentiments,Wen concurred with his views on bilateral relations and recalled that it was during his visit in 2005 that the two nations jointly established the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace ad Prosperity,Ravi said.

The Chinese Premier referred to the 10-pronged strategy agreed between President Hu Jintao and Singh and the Shared Vision document during the latters visit to China last year and emphasised that it was important to implement these agreements and to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation on bilateral as well as on regional and international issues.

Wen concurred with our Prime Minister that issues that may arise in the course of our bilateral relations should be properly handled through discussions and that they should not become impediment in the development of our friendly relations. Ravi pointed out.

The Chinese Prime Minister said it serves the interests of the two countries and also of the region to continue high-level delegation visits to strengthen bilateral relations. Chinese official news agency Xinhua also said both Singh and Wen have agreed to gradually narrow differences on border issues. Saying that both the leaders have agreed to try and ensure peace and stability in the border area,the agency said the two sides have agreed to continue talks,with the aim of incrementally removing the barriers to a solution that was fair and acceptable to both sides.

The Chinese Prime Minister pointed out that for the Asian Century to become a reality,it is important that India and China live in harmony and friendship and enjoy prosperity. He said China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges. The both sides should seize the opportunities of the 60th anniversary to highten our bilateral relationship, Ravi said.

Wen,he said,congratulated Singh on being re-elected as the Prime Minister of India and recalled Singhs earlier assertion that both the countries have enough space to develop and cooperate as there are sufficient areas in the world for them to enhance such cooperation. The Chinese premier stressed on the need for the Joint Economic Group to hold early negotiations. He said China encourages its companies to invest in India and that they welcome Indian investment in China, the Secretary (East) MEA said.

Singh said trade and economic relations were the vital pillar of Sino-Indian partnership. He welcomed the impending visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister next week in the trilateral meeting of India-China-Russia foreign ministers slated next week in Bangalore.

Wen was accompanied by Foreign minister Yang Jiechi,Commerce minister Chen Deming,Chaiman of National Development and Reforms Commission Zhang Ping and Vice Foreign minister Hu Zhengyue. Singh was accompanied by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Secretary (East) Ravi,Joint Secretary (East Asia division) Vijay Gokhle,Indias ambassador to Thailand Latha Reddy and other senior officials.

(with Subhajit Roy in New Delhi)