Indo-Sino relations heading in the right direction

Beijing, June 7: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi on Friday said that Sino-Indian relations are heading in the right direction.

"We believe that we should continue to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. We think that we will afford our bilateral trade hitting the target of 60 billion US dollars by 2010. We also have more exchanges in the humanity areas and the international affairs. The two countries have cooperated across the board. So, I think the relationship is heading in the right direction," he said after attending a dinner hosted by Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao in Beijing.

Sharing his Chinese counterpart's views, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee sounded positive about the talks.

"I had wide range of discussions on bilateral relations. We shared our perceptions on many international issues, including the energy crisis, the food crisis, issues posed by climate change. We decided to work together not only to improve our bilateral relations, but also to address the problems faced by the international community," said Mukherjee.

Both Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction over their four-day talks.

India and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sharing information on trans-border rivers and also jointly issued stamps. Both have resolved to maintain peace and security on their borders and to find a pragmatic and mutually respectable solution to their disputes.

Both countries have also agreed to expand their defence dialogue and conduct joint military exercises and increase in high-level exchanges.

Mukherjee will be halting at Chengdu enroute to New Delhi on Saturday to hand over a new consignment of aid for the earthquake-affected people of Sichuan province.

This is the eighth Indian aid consignment for China since the May 12 earthquake.

Mukherjee's visit, which is aimed at building a positive momentum in bilateral ties, comes amidst warming relations between India and China and a thriving trade. By Naveen Kapoor

ANI