Setting a positive tone ahead of his talks with the Chinese leadership, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said India-China relations were poised to enter a "vibrant and dynamic phase."
Singh, in a statement released shortly before boarding the plane to Beijing on Saturday night, said China was India's largest neighbour and a "focal point" of its "Look East" policy.
"Our bilateral relations are now poised to enter a vibrant and dynamic phase, based on a common recognition that the growth and development of both India and China will make positive and long-term contributions to regional and global peace, security and stability," said Singh who arrives in Beijing Sunday on a three-day visit.
Both countries were keen to enhance their relationship at both the bilateral and global level, said Singh who will be holding wide- ranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and call on President Hu Jintao. "We are engaged in the process of giving substantive content to our partnership through comprehensive economic engagement and developing mutually beneficial co-operation in the areas of science and technology, culture, education, defence and security, and increasing people-to-people contacts," he said.
The protracted boundary dispute will feature during the delegation-level talks although officials have indicated that both sides do not expect any breakthrough at this stage. Singh, is scheduled to hold discussions with Wen whom he meets over a one-on-one dinner on Sunday before delegation level talks on Monday.