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Chinese president due in Mumbai China lauds India-Pakistan peace
(about 4 hours later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao is due to travel to India's financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), to push for increased economic ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao say his country could help forge peace between South Asian rivals, India and Pakistan.
During talks on Tuesday, Mr Hu and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged to double trade to $40bn (£21bn) a year by 2010. Mr Hu told a meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi, that Beijing sought no "selfish gains" in South Asia.
Mr Hu also said the two sides would continue efforts to resolve their long-running border disputes. Correspondents say India has always been suspicious of China's close support for Pakistan and its military ties with India's historic rival.
Hr Hu is the first Chinese head of state to visit India in 10 years. On Tuesday, Mr Hu and Indian PM Manmohan Singh pledged to double their trade to $40bn (£21bn) a year by 2010.
China and India have overcome many hurdles in recent years but differences remain, correspondents say. 'Promoting peace'
The BBC's Steve Schifferes says the two sides have different objectives in formulating trade deals. "China welcomes and supports improvement in relations between India and Pakistan," the Press Trust of India quoted Mr Hu telling the meeting of politicians, diplomats and economists in Delhi, a day ahead of his visit to Islamabad.
China wants to boost its export of manufactured goods to developing countries, he says. China does not seek any selfish gains in South Asia and isready to play a constructive role in promoting peace President Hu Jintao href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6169230.stm" class="">Visit in pictures
Indian firms, which have a comparative advantage in the outsourcing of business and IT services, want more investment in China. He said China was prepared to play a "constructive role for the promotion of peace and development in South Asia".
'Peace and tranquillity' Mr Hu also lauded what he said was China and India's "productive co-operation in many fields".
After talking to Mr Hu, Mr Singh said there was enough space for the two countries to develop together in a "mutually supportive manner". "Today, both China and India are on the fast track of economic and social development, demonstrating to the world the bright future of the two countries and the promise of a revitalised Asia."
We both believe that an early settlement on the boundary question serves the fundamental interest of our two countries President Hu The Chinese president is due to travel to India's financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), later on Wednesday to continue his push for increased economic ties.
"We will endeavour to raise the volume of bilateral trade to $40bn by 2010 and encourage two-way investment flows," the Indian prime minister told a joint news conference in Delhi. He is the first Chinese head of state to visit India in 10 years.
That objective was reinforced by Mr Hu, who said the two sides would "sign an agreement on investment, promotion and protection between the two countries". href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6157364.stm" class="">Can Delhi bury past ghosts? href="/1/hi/business/6163424.stm" class="">Obstacles facing China
During their talks, the two leaders decided "to speed up the joint feasibility study on a regional trade arrangement," Mr Hu said. The two Asian giants have overcome many hurdles in recent years but significant obstacles remain, correspondents say.
During their meeting on Tuesday, the two sides also agreed to continue to work together to resolve border issues. They have different objectives in formulating trade deals. India would like to export its information technology services to China, while China hopes to expand manufacturing in India.
A Tibetan activist is detained outside the talks venue in Delhi
"Pending an eventual solution to the boundary question, the two sides need to continue their efforts to work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," Mr Hu said.
Meanwhile, more than 40 Tibetans have been arrested in various parts of Delhi for protesting against President Hu's visit to India, and claiming alleged Chinese atrocities in Tibet.
Police in Delhi told the BBC that a group of 10 Tibetan protesters were arrested when they were trying to approach Hyderabad House, the venue of the talks.
Members of other Tibetan groups were held when they tried to approach the hotel in which the president was staying.
India now recognises Tibet as part of China, but still hosts more than 100,000 Tibetans, including the Tibetan government-in-exile led by the Dalai Lama.
Old tensions
Rising trade between two of the world's fastest growing economies is encouraging vastly improved ties between India and China, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says.
Annual bilateral trade which was worth only about $250m as recently as the 1990s has mushroomed in recent years.
But our correspondent says that mutual economic interests are often undermined by politics, given that the two countries have ambitions of being the unrivalled regional superpower.
Delhi is suspicious of China's relationship with its long-time rival Pakistan - which Mr Hu is due to visit after his trip to India.
China, meanwhile, is concerned about Delhi's growing ties with Washington, especially a landmark nuclear agreement which allows India access to civilian nuclear technology.
Both India and China have produced staggering economic growth in recent years, but India continues to lag behind on many fronts, correspondents say.Both India and China have produced staggering economic growth in recent years, but India continues to lag behind on many fronts, correspondents say.
China has a literacy rate of 95%, compared with India's 68%. Indian exports of manufactured goods in the financial year ending last March were valued at $71bn, compared with $713bn for China.China has a literacy rate of 95%, compared with India's 68%. Indian exports of manufactured goods in the financial year ending last March were valued at $71bn, compared with $713bn for China.
During talks on Tuesday, Mr Hu also said China and India would continue efforts to resolve their long-running border disputes.
Meanwhile, more than 40 Tibetans were arrested in various parts of Delhi for protesting against President Hu's trip, and claiming alleged Chinese atrocities in Tibet.
India now recognises Tibet as part of China, but still hosts more than 100,000 Tibetans, including the Tibetan government-in-exile led by the Dalai Lama.