DHAKA: India and China agreed to focus on growth and strengthening of relationship between the two countries.

When India and China shake hands, the world notices, India prime minister Manmohan Singh said after talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Wednesday.

The two premiers agreed to take several steps to enhance mutual trust and deepen mutual understanding.

However, there was reportedly no agreement on the issue of stapled visas, reports The Times of India.

According to Times Now, India registered protest over China`s action of issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh.

India and China have resolved to realise full promise of their partnership and maintain the friendliest of relations, Manmohan Singh said addressing reporters after the meeting.

The two countries signed nine agreements, including one on trans-border rivers.

‘We have agreed that peace and tranquillity on border must be the foundation of growth in the relationship between the two countries. We have decided to institutionalize greater exchanges between the armed forces of India and China,’ Manmohan Singh said.

Manmohan Singh said the agreement on Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) will add to ‘existing instrument to establish peace and tranquillity on the border’.

‘We discussed ways to boost political relations and mutual cooperation,’ Chinese premier Li Keqiang said after meeting Manmohan Singh.

Li said that Wednesday’s meeting will ‘inject new momentum and vitality into the China-India relationship’.

BDST: 1208 HRS, OCT 23, 2013
RoR/BSK