Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before holding talks in New Delhi, capital of India, yesterday. During the talks, the two leaders reached an important consensus on developing their strategic and cooperative partnership.-Xinhua

China and India pledged to expand cooperation on both regional and international stages, said a joint declaration issued by the two countries yesterday.

The two sides should have regular exchanges of views on the emerging security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and proactively consult each other on issues of immediate and emerging concern, said the declaration released here during Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to India.

The two sides should also have regular consultations on issues pertaining to regional peace, security and stability, such as regional maritime security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials and their means of delivery, said the declaration.

According to the document, the two sides should positively assess the trilateral dialogue mechanism between China, India and Russia and agree that exchanges and cooperation should be further substantiated.

Additionally, the two countries condemned all forms of terrorism and agreed to broaden and deepen the China-India Dialogue Mechanism on Counter Terrorism, as well as strengthen bilateral and international cooperation to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism.

In the declaration, the two sides recognize the central role of the United Nations in promoting international peace, security and development, and reiterate their determination to strengthen the U.N. system.

The reform of the U.N. should be comprehensive, ensure balanced representation of developing and developed countries in the U.N. Security Council, and improve its working efficiency, the declaration said, adding that the two sides should conduct consultations on the reform of the U.N., including the reform of the Security Council.

It is consistent with the common interests of the two sides to establish an international energy order, which is fair, equitable, secure and stable, and to the benefit of the entire international community.

China and India would strive for bilateral and international cooperation to diversify the structure of global energy and to increase the share in it of renewable energy sources, it said.

International civilian nuclear cooperation should be advanced through innovative and forward-looking approaches, while safeguarding the effectiveness of international non-proliferation principles, according to the declaration.

Both countries are committed to non-proliferation objectives and agree to expand their bilateral and international cooperation on the related issues.

The two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the World Trade Organisation, the declaration said. Both countries support the establishment of an open, fair, equitable, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system, as well as early resumption of Doha negotiations.

China and India are determined to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, according to the declaration.

In the declaration, the two sides also agreed to expand their coordination within regional organizations and explore a new architecture for closer regional cooperation in Asia.

Both sides consented to cooperate closely in the East Asia Summit, the declaration said.

The Indian side recalls that India was among the first countries to recognize that there is one China. The country said that its one China policy remained unaltered and it would continue to support the one China policy.

India reiterates that it has recognized the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, and that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India.

The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position.

This is the first visit to India by a Chinese head of state in 10 years. And India is the third leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam and Laos, and will also take him to Pakistan.