On the afternoon of January 15, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides spoke highly of the positive progress made in bilateral ties in recent years, agreeing to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation in all areas and push China-India strategic cooperative partnership to a new level in the new year.

Hu said faced with the new situation and new task for the development of bilateral ties, the two countries should maintain high-level visits and friendly exchanges in various fields and give full play to the dialogue and consultation mechanisms between both sides. He called on the two to deepen the strategic dialogue and cooperation in an effort to intensify the political and social foundation for the development of the bilateral relations. Hu suggested the two sides fortify their cooperation in fields such as trade, energy, science and technology, infrastructure construction and investment, enrich the connotations of the cooperation and enhance the quality and level of the cooperation so as to inject new vitality into the development of bilateral ties for the benefits of both peoples. He proposed sensitive issues be properly settled through dialogue based on the spirit of mutual respect and equal consultation by proceeding from the overall situation of the bilateral ties in a bid to ensure sound, steady development of bilateral relations. The two nations should also keep closer multilateral cooperation, work together to address global challenges and safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries, and promote world peace and development, he added.

Singh said India-China relations are facing new and bigger opportunities to develop, and the cooperation between the two for common development would benefit not only Asia, but also the world at large. The joint document on their shared vision for the 21st century issued by both sides set the direction for the future development of bilateral ties. India is ready to strengthen exchanges, deepen dialogue and cooperation on politics, security, economy and trade, science and technology and energy, and keep closer consultations and cooperation in international and regional affairs based on the guidelines of the seven-page document. Singh expressed firm belief that with the joint efforts of both sides, India-China relations will be able to achieve continuous development.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials attended the meeting.