China, India step up economic engagement despite border disputes(2)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (6th R) holds talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India, Sept 18, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

HISTORICAL LINKS

The Chinese president started his India visit from Modi's home state of Gujarat in western part of the country Wednesday, which also marked the prime minister's 64th birthday.

It is Xi's first trip to India since he took office in March 2013, and also the first state visit in eight years by a Chinese president to the country.

The history of Gujarat testifies to Modi's metaphor that China and India are "two bodies, one spirit," Xi said during Thursday's talks with Modi, who took office in May.

"Eminent Chinese monk Xuan Zang went by Gujarat during his trip to India to seek Buddhist scriptures in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and he brought the sutras back to Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, which is my home province, and disseminated the Buddhist doctrines there," Xi noted.

"I would like to invite you to visit Xi'an when you come to China next time and have a look at the place where Xuan Zang stored and translated the sutras," he said. "We should carry forward our friendship and cooperation and further develop bilateral relations."

As important neighbors, China and India are both major developing countries, emerging-market economies and important forces in the world's multi-polarization process, said Xi, adding that both nations are in the great historical process of realizing national renewal.

The international community says the 21st century belongs to Asia and the development of China and India holds the key, he said.

"China views India as a long-standing strategic cooperative partner. We are looking forward to working with India to build a closer development partnership and deepen our cooperation on bilateral, regional and global levels," he said.