Hindustan Times: Where do China-India relations stand?

Hu Zhengyue: China-India relations have maintained a sound momentum of comprehensive development in recent years.

There are three milestones in the advancement of our bilateral relations. During Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in 2005, the two sides decided to establish a strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. In 2006 when President Hu Jintao visited India, the two sides formulated 10 strategies to deepen their strategic and cooperative partnership. Then, in January of this year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid a successful visit to China and the two sides signed a document entitled "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century," marking another major step forward in their bilateral relations.

What are the key areas of collaboration?

China and India have comprehensive and steady cooperation and exchanges in various fields.

First, political exchanges between the two sides are closer. Leaders of the two sides hold regular meetings in bilateral and multilateral forums. Exchanges between parliaments and political parties and at local levels are also on the rise.

PARTNERS: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (right) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after signing the joint document "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century" in Beijing on January 14 (PANG XINGLEI)

Second, business cooperation has become a highlight. In the first half of 2008, two-way trade reached $29 billion, up 68.7 percent over the corresponding period last year. It is the fastest growth rate among China's top 10 trading partners. During Prime Minister Singh's visit to China, the two sides announced an agreement to raise the trade target for 2010 from $40 billion to $60 billion. In addition, the feasibility study on a regional trade arrangement has been finished.

Third, defense cooperation is expanding. In 2006, the Chinese and Indian defense ministries signed the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Defense. In 2007, the two countries held the first round of defense dialogue and the first joint antiterrorist training between their armed forces.

Fourth, people-to-people exchanges are more dynamic. In 2007, which was designated the China-India Year of Friendship Through Tourism, personnel exchanges increased steadily, involving 532,000 people. There are more exchanges in the fields of culture, education, tourism, youth affairs and sports.

Fifth, multilateral cooperation is proceeding steadily. The two sides have common or similar positions on such major issues as climate change, food and energy security and the Doha Round negotiations. They have maintained sound coordination and cooperation in the trilateral mechanism among China, Russia and India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the East Asia Summit, the G8+5 and other multilateral mechanisms.