Singh delivers speech at CASS

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Manmohan Singh said, "I look forward with optimism to the future and the role which India and China are destined to play in the transformation of Asia and the world. This optimism is based on my conviction that there is enough space for both India and China to grow and prosper while strengthening our cooperative engagement."

Manmohan Singh highlighted key areas for India and China to cooperate in the years to come, including more contacts between the two peoples to remove misunderstandings, learning from each other's specialties, and tapping business and trade potential.

He emphasized a healthy bilateral relationship not just for the welfare of the two peoples, but also to influence regional and global trends.

Manmohan Singh said, "In pursuing these initiatives, we will do it the Asian way - avoiding confrontation and building trust, confidence and consensus. It is only in an environment of peace that prosperity in Asia can be sustained. India and China have an important role to play in building peace, security and stability in the region."

On the issue of border disputes, Singh said he's confident the set of Political Parameters and Guiding Principles reached in 2005 will lead the two countries to find a mutually satisfactory solution.

Although China and India have different modes of development, they share similar interests in regional and global affairs. The two countries have been successful in bypassing differences and focusing on economic growth. And this shared aim is bringing the two Asian neighbors closer than ever.

Editor:Zhang Ning