China, India reach historic accord

China and India have signed a pact attempting to end decades-long border disputes, while seeking to raise trade commitments which Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao predicted could reach US$30bn in five years. The two countries also signed agreements pledging cooperation in military exercises and cultural and scientific exchanges, and agreed to a joint task force to consider a free-trade pact that would, if created, be the world's largest tariff-free area, encompassing one-third of the world's population.