The border spat last month prompted the Indian opposition and media to pressure the government to take on China and call off Li's visit. The government, however, chose to go ahead with the trip, highlighting its policy of trying to widen areas of cooperation with China while attempting to resolve key differences.

Both sides are keen to ensure that the border spat does not derail a general warming in relations between the neighbors.

It may not be a breakthrough trip for the border dispute settlement but could be the one to emphasize the need for an early resolution and improvement of relations.

It's a golden opportunity for New Delhi to seize and script a fresh, more positive chapter in India-China relations before they harden again. For this the Indian leadership must become more realistic about its relationship with China. It cannot hold on to shibboleths of the past and expect to resolve bilateral issues in the 21st century.

One of Li's core messages to New Delhi will be that the two rivals can be good neighbors. Economic cooperation would become a major area where the two nations could seek common ground.