By IANS,
Beijing : China and India must “play a bigger role in the world” and “leave behind their past friction and look to the future”, a leading Chinese daily said Wednesday.
An editorial in the English language China Daily newspaper said: “The two countries will be better positioned on global affairs if they could stand united.
“The call for China and India to play a bigger role in the world has been growing. The call will be better answered if the two neighbours leave behind their past friction and look to the future,” it said.
The visit by Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to Beijing, which began Monday, was important for officials from both sides “to carry out dialogue, build trust and establish cooperation”.
It said that China regarded its relationship with India as one of its most important bilateral ties.
The editorial made no reference to any of the issues that have cast a shadow in recent times on bilateral relations, in particular a lingering border dispute that caused a war in 1962.
The two countries have held several rounds of talks to resolve the border row but without success.
The growth in their relationship in the past six decades had made it possible for the two most populous countries to forge ahead with a long-term strategic partnership, the China Daily said.
The two countries are considered “bright spots bringing hope of a full global economic recovery”.
“Expanded cooperation in trade will bring more benefits for the two neighbours and further shore up their economic clout around the world,” it said.
China and India also have “common ground in tackling global challenges including climate change and energy security”, it said. By cooperating, they will better safeguard their interests and those of the developing world.