Because of the unresolved border issue, it used to be common for international observers to make skeptical judgments about relations between China and India and the so-called rivalry between the two Asian powers. But now they are having to rapidly readjust their views.

The three-day visit by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Beijing last week was by any standard a significant and fruitful one. The Joint Statement the two countries issued unequivocally illustrated an encouraging picture of fast developing bilateral relations and the level to which the two neighbors and world's most populous nations are ready to enhance their relations.

In their statement, aside from the agreements on economic cooperation, the countries emphasized the strategic nature of their partnership, as demonstrated by the Border Defense Cooperation Agreement and the arrangements for joint military exercises.

Their political will and determination to strengthen strategic ties was not just embodied in the formal document, but also apparent in the cordial reception offered by the host Premier Li Keqiang, who accompanied his Indian guest on a relaxed tour of the Forbidden City.

The visit was symbolic, as the historical and cultural associations of the imperial palace was a reminder of the fact that both China and India are great civilizations, with the wisdom and vitality to enable them to march confidently into the future together.

The significance of the two Asian giants' embrace is not confined to their border, but has positive implications for the region and the world at large. Here are two of the world's fastest growing economies whose populations account for one-third of the global total, and as emerging markets with enormous untapped potential, they will undoubtedly play a more dynamic role in regional and global affairs if they act as partners working together as stabilizers for the common good of Asia and the world.

As Singh pointed out in his speech at the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC, China and India "can be more effective if we work together".

This has already been proved in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the G20.

Despite their differences and unresolved issues, as long as they share the same vision of common development and mutual benefits and work together to build mutual trust, then the solving of the sticky issues will only be a matter of time.

Aside from the signing of nine agreements and memorandums and the reaching of a broad consensus, the exchange of visits by the premier of China and the prime minister of India within the same calendar year, by itself a rarity in five decades, is of remarkable significance.

The world has entered a new era and so have relations between China and India. By making 2014 a Year of Friendly Exchanges and discussing ways of commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the two countries are poised for a closer, more stable and win-win relationship. At a time when both countries are in the process of realizing their national dreams, they have found that the Chinese and Indian dreams for becoming strong and prosperous nations are interconnected and mutually compatible.

The author is a Beijing-based scholar of international relations.

(China Daily 10/30/2013 page8)