The two emerging countries are much talked about in the media.

Among developing countries, China absorbs the largest volume of foreign direct investment while India is the first destination for IT outsourcing.

In the past few years, the two economies with the world's largest populations have been modernizing fast at an eye-catching rate.

Giant as they are, the two are not necessarily rivals. Chinese-made toys, toasters and televisions have proliferated across the Indian marketplace. India exports raw materials for China's booming construction industry.

While President Hu Jintao tours India, the two countries have mapped out a new drive to promise a new era of peace and prosperity. The visit will steer the bilateral ties in a more vibrant and forward-looking direction.

The joint declaration and deals inked by the two countries Tuesday in New Delhi map out their vision for the future, qualitatively upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic level.

Hu's ongoing trip is the most important event on the calendar for the year as he is the first Chinese president visiting India in a decade.

It marks a major milestone in bilateral relations, which have reached a certain level of maturity.

Hu's meetings with a wide range of Indian dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Monmonhan Singh will forge greater understanding of respective positions on issues bilateral, regional and international.

Guided by the increasing trust they place in each other, the effort of China and India to lend a strategic dimension to the relationship assumes significance.

The two countries are willing to explore ways to enhance mutual engagement on pressing issues while continuing to address contentious aspects such as the boundary dispute.

China and India realize the importance of not letting contentious issues get in the way of taking forward the bilateral relationship. Early settlement of the border issue is a strategic goal the two countries have been working hard for. China is always clear on negotiations so as to work out a fair and sensible solution acceptable to both.

Relations between the two countries have flourished in recent years, led primarily by trade. The two countries work towards strengthening economic ties, which have grown significantly in the recent past.

The warmth in bilateral ties was also felt when the two countries designated 2006 the year for China-India Friendship.

Aware of their linked destinies as neighbors and the two largest countries of Asia, both sides agreed that they would, together, contribute to the establishment of an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and co-operation in Asia and the world at large.

(China Daily November 22, 2006)