Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai again

New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) Leaving behind the legacy of a cagey past and taking bilateral relations to a new high, India and China today agreed to solve their long-standing border problem through peaceful and continued efforts, step up bilateral trade to 40 billion US dollars by 2010 and boost cooperation in various sectors including Civilian Nuclear Energy.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who held talks here today focussing on bilateral relations and regional and multilateral issues, also decided to further substantiate and reinforce their Strategic and Cooperative partnership by following a ''ten-pronged strategy.'' After the two-hour ''open, cordial and constructive talks,'' the two sides signed 13 pacts including a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and a Protocol on the Establishment of Consulates-General at Kolkata and Guangzhou.

A 'Joint Declaration' issued after the talks said the two leaders reiterated the shared vision and fundamental principles for the future development of India-China relations as embodied in the Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation of June 23, 2003, and the Joint Statement of April 11, 2005, signed between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

''Cooperation in the field of Civilian Nuclear Energy will be promoted,'' the Prime Minister said in his opening statement at a media interaction after his talks with President Hu.

China is an important member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), whose nod is essential for the implementation of the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.

The Chinese President arrived here yesterday on a four-day State visit to India. He will have main engagements today while tomorrow he will go to Agra and Mumbai. He is scheduled to go to Islamabad from here.

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