India and China should be partners, not competitors, as the world tilts toward Asia, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China said Wednesday in a speech here to hundreds of businessmen from both countries, his first stop on a three-day tour.
"There is enough space in the world for the development of both China and India," Mr. Wen said, "and enough areas for us both to cooperate."
The countries are in the "process of rapid industrialization and urbanization" built on a foundation of fast and sustainable growth, he said. Now, they should "open our markets to each other so we can give strong support to each other's economic growth."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in India on Wednesday for a three-day visit. He brings with him an uncharacteristically large delegation of 400 businessmen.
The countries showed great interest in trade related matters. India and China have set a huge trade target of 100 billion dollars by 2015.
The two today signed six pacts, including one in the field of green technology.
The agreements were signed after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
The decision on opening of a telephone hotline between the Prime Minister of India and Chinese Premier was welcomed by both sides.
Wen, who was given a ceremonial welcome by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, said,"We will be able to reach strategic consensus."
Here, the Chinese Premier is being received by Manmohan Singh. Wen said,"I have come to India to expand cooperation, deepen friendship and strengthen people to people exchange."
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao inspects a guard of honour during a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan palace in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao listens to the Chinese national anthem at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. China and India's future prosperity lies in partnership not rivalry, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, promising to redress a yawning trade imbalance between the fast-growing Asian giants. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao waves as he leaves Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shake hands after their meeting in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh look on as Chinese Ambassador Zhnag Yan and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao sign memorandum of understanding on media exchange in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao listens to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Minister of Culture, Cai Wu shake hand with Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna after their signing of an agreement of Programme of Cultural Exchange for the years 2010-2012 as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh look on in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Delhi police detain Tibetan activists as they try to approach the venue of the meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. China and India's future prosperity lies in partnership not rivalry, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, promising to redress a yawning trade imbalance between the fast-growing Asian giants. Wen, making his first visit to India in five years, came at the head of a 400-strong delegation of Chinese business leaders. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Delhi police detain Tibetan activists as they try to aproach the office of the meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Tibetan activist is arrested by Indian police after protesting in front of the hotel where Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao is staying during his visit to India, in New Delhi on December 15, 2010. Hundreds of Tibetan exiles marched through New Delhi December 15 to protest against Beijing's rule over Tibet, as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao began a visit to the Indian capital. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao lays a wreath at Rajghat, memorial for Mahatam a Gandhi during a visit in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao lays a wreath at Rajghat, memorial for Mahatam a Gandhi during a visit in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao sprinkles rose petals at Rajghat, memorial for Mahatam a Gandhi during a visit in New Delhi on December 16, 2010. (Photo courtesy: AFP
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
Wen Jiabao is seen greeting the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
On Wednesday night, the Congress President had to walk down to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence for a private dinner hosted in honour of Wen Jiabao as a stretch of road was closed for Wen's cavalcade.(Image courtesy: PTI)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday was seen greeting the CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, the Indian minister was later honoured with the India-China Friendship Award.(Image courtesy: PTI)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday honoured nine people, including Left leader Sitaram Yechury, with the first ever China-India Friendship Awards for promoting and nurturing ties between the two nations. The awards were announced on the occasion of Premier Wen's visit. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Karan Singh is learnt to have turned down the honour. (Image courtesy: PTI)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in India as the head of a huge business delegation to try and shore up a relationship undermined by persistent trade and territorial disputes. (Image courtesy: PTI)
