India and China yesterday signed a joint declaration on a wide range of issues, covering bilateral relations, commercial and economic exchanges, mutually beneficial cooperation, defence cooperation, settlement of outstanding issues, trans-border cooperation, scientific and technological cooperation, cultural exchanges and international coordination.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

China and India are committed to making the positive development and diversification of bilateral relations in recent years an irreversible trend, said the declaration released here during Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to India.

The two sides agreed to hold regular Summit-level meetings, in each other's countries and in multilateral forums, it said, noting that high-level exchanges between Governments, Parliaments and political parties played an important role in expanding overall bilateral cooperation.

They agreed that China should open a new Consulate General in Kolkata, while India should open a new one in Guangzhou, according to the declaration.

COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC EXCHANGES

In the declaration, China and India agreed to endeavor to raise the annual volume of their bilateral trade to 40 billion U.S. dollars by 2010.

They should make joint efforts to diversify their trade basket, remove existing impediments and optimally utilise the present and potential complementary aspects of their economies, said the document.

MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION

The two countries agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the area of information and communication technology, through closer policy dialogue and enhanced collaboration among their enterprises, including in third countries, the declaration said.

They agreed to set up an expert-level mechanism to discuss interaction and cooperation on the provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border rivers, it said.

They also consented to intensify their consultations, bilaterally and in multilateral form, on sustainable development, bio-diversity, climate change and other related environmental issues of common concern.

INSTILLING MUTUAL TRUST THROUGH DEFENCE COOPERATION

They agreed in the declaration to fully implement the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and Cooperation in the field of Defence signed on May 29, 2006, which provides a sound foundation and institutional framework for further development of defence cooperation.

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES

The two are determined to resolve outstanding differences, including the boundary question, through peaceful means and in a fair, reasonable, mutually acceptable and proactive manner, while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations, said the declaration.

They agreed that the Special Representatives should complete at an early date the task of finalizing an appropriate framework for a final package settlement covering all sectors of the China-India boundary.

The Joint Working Group on the China-India Boundary Question should expedite their work, including on the clarification and confirmation of the line of actual control and the implementation of confidence building measures, according to the declaration.

Additionally, it was agreed to complete the process of exchanging maps indicating their respective perceptions of the entire alignment of the LAC on the basis of already agreed parameters as soon as possible.

TRANS-BORDER COOPERATION

China and India will strengthen border trade through the existing locations, while continuing to explore the possibility of opening additional trading routes in the border areas, the declaration said.

COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

In the declaration, the two countries believe they should establish a China-India Partnership in Science and Technology.

They agreed to launch joint projects in the areas of earthquake engineering, climate change, weather forecasting and nano-technology, with a focus on advance materials and biotechnology and medicines.

They also consented to promote cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, consistent with their respective international commitments.

Furthermore, the two will strengthen cooperation in the use of space-based technologies for peaceful and developmental applications.

CULTURAL TIES AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of spiritual and civilizational heritage, discuss collaboration in the digitalization of Buddhist manuscripts available in China as well as the re-development of Nalanda as a major centre of learning with the establishment of an international university.

The two will organize a "Festival of India" in China and a "Festival of China" in India, with a joint logo, the declaration said.

They will work towards the establishment of a "China-India Exchange Foundation" and launch a five-year programme for mutual exchanges of youth delegations.

The Chinese side will invite 500 youths from India over the next five years, according to the declaration.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

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.

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.

The reform of the United Nations 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.

The two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the World Trade Organization, 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.

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.

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.