Tuesday, April 12 2005 11:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Rounding off his four-day visit, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today (Apr 12, 2005) said that it had produced "rich results" but on India's claim for permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC), he did not go beyond stating that his country supported its aspirations to play a "bigger role" in the world body.

Describing the visit as "historic", Wen told a group of senior journalists before leaving for home that the bilateral relationship had been taken to a "new level" following his discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders. He shared his Indian counterpart's view that history has been made during the visit.

Answering a wide range of questions with considerable humour during the 45-minute interaction, the Chinese leader began by stating that he welcomed the media with a smile, which reflected how well the visit had gone.

Asked about India's candidature for permanent membership of the Security Council, Wen broadly stuck to the formulation used in the Joint Statement he had signed with Singh yesterday (Apr 11, 2005).

"China reiterates that we attach great importance to the important role of India in international affairs. India is a very populous country and is also a very important developing country. We fully understand and support the Indian aspirations to play an even bigger role in international affairs including in the UN," he said.

Asked whether China's military assistance to Pakistan would not come in the way of its relations with India, Wen, who had come to India after a visit to Islamabad, said cooperation in the nuclear field was completely for peaceful purposes.

Such cooperation between China and Pakistan was in complete compliance with Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and under the supervision and safeguards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said.

The Chinese leader also made it clear that the Sikkim issue was no longer an irritant in bilateral ties. "Sikkim is no longer a problem in the China-India relationship," he said.

Wen said three "major results" had emerged from his visit. This included the Joint Statement under which the two sides agreed to establish an India-China strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. "So, we have taken the relations to a new level."

Secondly, the two sides had signed the very first political document outlining guiding principles for a settlement of the boundary question. "This is a sign that we have brought our boundary negotiations to a new stage," he said.

Thirdly, the two sides had agreed on a five-year plan for comprehensive cooperation in economy and trade, he said.

Wen said the two countries had agreed to make joint efforts to increase the bilateral trade volume to $ 20 billion by 2008 and to $ 30 billion by 2010.

The Chinese leader recalled that during his farewell call with Singh last evening, the Indian leader had told him "Prime Minister, actually we two are making new history".

On border trade through Nathula Pass between Tibet and Sikkim, he said China was planning and developing border trade market on its side.

"We hope the two sides will make earnest efforts at an early date to further develop border trade cooperation and this would certainly serve the interests of the people living in the borders," he said.

Observing that China has taken a host of measures to maintain stability in border areas, he said these included steps taken to help eventually resolve the boundary question.

China, he said, has also taken measures to maintain tranquillity in the border areas.

"As long as we have sincerity and patience and as long as we persevere in this effort, we will be able to build the India-China boundary into a bond of peace and friendship," he said.

On the emerging trilateral cooperation between India, China and Russia, he said this should not be construed as an alliance targeting any other country.