Spotlight: China-India relations to take on new look

Relations between China and India, boosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China, would take on a new look through substantial and new bilateral cooperation in wide-ranging fields in future.

Chinese President Xi Jinping received Modi in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Xi's hometown, on Thursday.

It is worth noting that Modi greeted Xi in his home state of Gujarat when Xi was visiting India last year.

The unusual departure from normal protocol is not only a return of favor from Modi's hospitality, but also a sign that both countries are eager to bridge the challenges and strengthen bilateral relations.

During Modi's current visit, Xi called on the two countries to look at their ties from a long-term perspective, strengthen coordination in global and regional affairs, and "steer the world order to develop in a fairer direction".

The two countries could strengthen communication on the Belt and Road Initiative, within the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Modi's "Act East" policy, find areas of common interest, and hone a mode of cooperation with reciprocal interests, Xi said.

According to Xi, the two countries should seek common ground in their respective development strategies to jointly promote the region's economic integration and contribute to global economic growth.

He called for more bilateral cooperation in areas including construction of railways and industrial parks, urbanization and training, pledging to encourage Chinese companies to invest in India.

For China and India, the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences should prevail.

Besides some border issues, the two countries, as the world's two most populous nations, should join hands to forge a stronger working relationship.

"Disparities between the two sides should be controlled so that attention could be drawn towards the areas that need development in both countries, at a time when both sides feel they are faced with rare opportunities of development," said Liu Xiaoxue, an associate researcher at Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Xi expressed the hope that the two countries can trust each other more and control their disputes to avoid weakening of bilateral ties.

He also called on the two countries to strengthen exchanges between media, think tanks and young people of the two countries to promote mutual understanding.

Calling China a great neighbor, Modi echoed Xi and said India was ready to communicate and cooperate more closely with China, increase cultural exchanges and properly handle disputes.

Cooperation between the two ancient Asian nations is further enhanced by the talks on Friday between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Modi.

A total of 24 treaties and Memoranda of Understanding have been signed, aiming to boost cooperation in areas including railway construction, aerospace, mineral exploitation, marine science and vocational education.

Four pairs of sister cities, provinces and states have been unveiled, including China's Chongqing City and India's Chennai City.

Modi's visit, said Mohan Guruswamy, a senior researcher at India's think tank Observer Research Foundation, gives priority to economic and trade relations, values cultural exchanges and does not direct against any third party in the development of bilateral relations.

Analysts in both countries believe that bilateral relations have huge potential and broad prospects. With substantial efforts exerted by both governments and both peoples, the two countries and the rest of the world could be largely benefited.

Modi's visit, which made headlines in almost all Indian media reports, is described as surprisingly good.

"Our cooperation not only benefit the two countries, but also send a positive signal to the world," Modi said. Endi