On September 8, 2008, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in New Delhi. Dr. Singh firstly congratulated his Chinese guest for the full success of the Beijing Olympic Games. He noted that India and China are great countries. The common development of both countries will have a positive effect to the peace and progress of Asia in particular and the whole world in general. India is keen in developing friendship and cooperation with China. All political parties of India have a consensus on this. India is committed to pushing forward the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. He also expressed the hope of maintaining close high-level exchanges and pushing forward the cooperation in various fields. The Indian Prime Minister also said the both countries have common interest and concern over a number of important issues, such as climate change, disaster alleviation, safeguarding the stability of the international finance and so on. Consultation and coordination of both sides should be strengthened.

Dr. Singh said it is the political will of India to push forward the boundary talks, hoping that more progress could be made in this regard when the special representatives from both countries meet again this year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi thanked Dr. Singh for India's support and participation in the Beijing Olympic Games. Mr. Yang said both China and India are emerging powers and are all advocates of the democratization of international relations. The development of the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership between China and India is not only in the interest of the two countries but also conducive to the peace, stability and development of the world. China attaches great importance to Sino-Indian relations and is willing to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries to push forward the exchanges in various fields as well as the strengthening of coordination in international affairs. The Chinese Foreign Minister said today's world faces an uncertain economy and problematic energy and food supply, developed countries should pay more attention to the reasonable concerns of the developing countries and take effective measures.

Mr. Yang also said China would like to work side by side with India, in accordance with the political guidelines reached between the two sides and through friendly consultations, seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue. Both sides should make joint efforts to preserve peace and tranquility in the border area before a final resolution is achieved.

In the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also met Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and both sides agreed to push forward bilateral relations in the following fields:

1) To maintain the momentum of high-level visits and the exchanges between the two legislatures, foreign ministries and armed forces.

2) Expand the cooperation in trade and economic fields. China

is willing to take measures to promote bilateral trade in a more balanced way. The Indian side indicated there were no discriminatory restrictions against Chinese firms in India.

3) Promote bilateral exchanges among the two peoples,

especially among the youths. To prepare together the "2010 China Festival" and "2010 India Festival".

4) Give appropriate consideration to each other's concerns. The Indian side reiterated that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China and it will not allow Tibetans living in India to engage in political activities against China on Indian soil. The Chinese side indicated that it would carry on the cooperation on the trans-border river issue under the framework of expert level mechanism with the Indian side.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.