Thursday, January 27 2005 15:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that India and China are "pro-actively" addressing their differences on the boundary question and other issues, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh today (Jan 27, 2005) said the two countries have not allowed their differences to come in the way of development of bilateral relations across a range of areas.

The Minister also sought to silence those who look at India-China relations only from an adversarial prism.

Theories by those who saw these ties with the old mindset of 'balance of power' or 'conflict of interests' and East Asia as a theatre of competition between these two countries, were losing relevance in today's fast-emerging dynamics of Asia's quest for peace and prosperity, he said.

Addressing the Asian Security Conference in New Delhi on 'Changing Security Dynamic in Eastern Asia, the Minister said that both India and China were aware that trust and cooperation between them were one of the most crucial elements that made the region and Asia a vibrant and energetic fulcrum for growth.

"We are engaged in positive ways to expand our commonalities, while pro-actively addressing our differences, including the boundary question. We are doing so in a purposive and mutually-acceptable manner," he said at the three-day meet organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

Singh noted that despite the differences on the boundary issue, the 3,400 km-long land borders with China has remained tranquil over the last 25 years.

"This is by no means a minor achievement and should be enough to silence those who look at India-China relations only from an adversarial prism," Singh said stressing, "It is for everyone to see that we have not allowed our differences to hold development in our relations across an impressive range of areas."

Singh said that there was increasingly greater realisation that there was enough space and opportunity in the region for both India and China to prosper.

"We are not passively embedded in our region bound by our common neighbourhood, but are constantly interacting through endeavours, which have brought huge dividends to both," he contended.

Citing the example of Sino-India trade, he said that from a few hundred million Dollars in the beginning of the 90s, it has already crossed $ 13 billion last year.

Singh said that the two countries view their relations in a larger regional and global backdrop and realise the responsibility they both shoulder in contributing to the well being of humanity.

"We are mindful of the overarching importance of a peaceful surrounding environment for us to pursue our most fundamental task of national development," he said.

The Minister said that the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India later this year would offer another opportunity to add further substance to the bilateral relationship, which both value.

Referring to India's 'Look East' policy, Singh said that more than a mere political slogan, it has a strong economic rationale sustained by its commitment to democracy and pluralism and desire for stability and security in the region.

Emphasising that developments in East Asia were of direct consequence to India's security and development, he said that the Government was actively engaged in creating a bond of friendship and cooperation in countries of the region.

"We stand to share the opportunities thrown open by the regions' increasing economic integration, just as we face the common threats of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) proliferation, terrorism, energy shortage, piracy and income inequity," he said.

Greater connectivity between India and East Asia would create strong links in the common endeavour for peace and prosperity, he said, adding, "Recent positive developments in India's relations with China are a case in point."

On India's relations with Japan, he said that these had steadily progressed in the last few years. "Our relations are also based on the firmly-shared recognition that both countries are legitimate candidates for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council."

India, he said, looked forward to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to India later this year, which will help further upgrade and deepen bilateral ties.

On New Delhi's vision of an Asian Economic Community encompassing ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), South Korea, Japan, China and India, he said these were five pillars, which might form the initial core to drive Asia's emergence as the center of gravity of the global economy.