Li: China, India can embrace cooperation

China and India should handle their disputes before finding fair and reasonable ways that can be accepted by both sides, Premier Li Keqiang said today.

The two countries should be dedicated to maintaining peace and tranquility in the border region through diplomatic means, Li said while meeting with visiting Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing.

Li called on the two countries to enhance practical cooperation in multiple areas, strengthen communications in international and regional affairs and send a positive signal of peace and development of economy.

Doval spoke highly of the current bilateral ties. He said that the two sides should work together in multiple areas and handle disputes properly.

On Wednesday before the meeting, Doval attended the 19th round of talks between Chinese and Indian special representatives on boundary issues. During the talks, senior officials from China and India had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on boundary issues, according to a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Both sides agreed to adhere to peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question. They will make efforts to reach a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution, the press release said.

They will properly manage differences and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas so as to create favorable conditions for development of bilateral ties, it said.

Both sides shared the view that China-India relations have broad prospects and Beijing and New Delhi have far more common interests than differences.

Bilateral ties have entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development since Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India in 2014 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in 2015, the press release said.

Both sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders, enhance high-level interactions, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote China-India relations to a higher level, the press release said.