India and China may be very different on the surface but the two countries are poised to work together in the future, said Nirupama Rao, India’s ambassador to China.
The comparison between India and China has become commonplace but the debate should not be a cause of concern.
"An intergovernmental network and other mechanisms are there to aid our bilateral commercial and economic relations," Rao said.
"Both countries have decided to take relations forward and build on mutually beneficial ties. A certain maturity characterizes these ties and our relations are the best in many decades. A strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity has emerged. The top leaders… meet regularly. People to people contacts are growing and relations have become truly multi-faceted."
Rao is also keen to highlight the historical and demographic similarities between India and China, which in turn inform the developmental challenges each nation faces. Stable and sustainable growth with equity remains key to both administrations.
"We are yet to triumph over poverty. Regional imbalances, environmental degradation, health and educations issues, energy, food and water security are all prime national and everyday concerns in both countries.
"There are numerous areas where cooperation and experience sharing will benefit both countries."