Binod Singh (left), an Indian student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, talks with China Development Gateway reporter Jiao Meng at the 2010 India-China Development Forum in Beijing, March 30, 2010. [CnDG by Ye Nana]

Binod Singh (right), an Indian student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, talks with China Development Gateway reporter Ye Nana at the 2010 India-China Development Forum in Beijing, March 30, 2010. [CnDG by Jiao Meng]

"More exchange students should be sent between China and India," said Binod Singh, an Indian student at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Singh, who also teaches Hindi at Peking University, was one of five students invited to attend the 2010 India-China Development Forum held in Beijing on Tuesday.

China and India have had student exchange programs since the 1950s, Singh said. In the 1980s, they began to send students using state funds, although the quota was set at 25 students.

"This small amount of exchange students doesn't satisfy the need of China and India for communication and cooperation," he said. "The quota is too small, I think 100 would be proper."

"It is important to enhance the mutual understanding and communication among young Chinese and Indians," he said. Singh believes that it is necessary to foster young scholars who have visions for developing bilateral ties.

"The future of Chinese-Indian relations relies on the youth," he said.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Sino-Indian diplomatic relations, the 2010 India-China Development Forum was organized by the China Internet Information Center and China Development Gateway, and was sponsored by the China International Publishing Group.

(China Development Gateway by Jiao Meng and Ye Nana, March 31, 2010)