Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes said in New Delhi Monday that India and China could strengthen and expand cooperation in many fields, while stressing that his country would stick to the one-China policy.  

The cooperation between the two countries conduces to the development of Asia and the rest of the world as well, Fernandes told visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor.

Recalling his visit to China last April, Fernandes spoke highly of the efforts made by the leaders of the two countries in promoting the bilateral relations and the tremendous achievements scored in China's economic construction.

During his talks with Fernandes, Cao noted that the bilateral relations between the countries have gained momentum with the concerted efforts of the leaders of the two countries, adding that it is the common aspiration of the two peoples to develop long-term, stable and sound state-to-state relations between China and India.

He stressed that both China and India should be farsighted and look into the future and incessantly push the bilateral relations to a new high while taking into account the long-term benefits and strategies of both countries.

Noting the exchange between the two armies is a constituent part of the bilateral relations, Cao said that both sides should work hard to further strengthen the relations between the two armies so as to contribute to the development of the relations between the two countries.

The Chinese defense minister also encouraged more exchange and cooperation in defense between the two armies.

At the invitation of the Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes, Cao arrived here on Friday for a five-day official visit to India.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2004)