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New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said that rapid economic growth had opened new opportunities for long term partnership between India and China, and added that this would contribute to stability in Asia and the world.In an opening statement issued ahead of one-to-one talks and bilateral discussions at the Hyderabad House here, Dr. Singh said: “Since 2005 our countries have maintained an intensive high-level dialogue.” “Apart from my bilateral visit to China in 2008, I have met your Excellency and his Excellency Hu Jintao close to 20 times in the last five years. This shows the intensity of our interaction. Since you last visit to India in 2005 both our countries and international situation has witnessed many changes. Rapid socio-economic transformation in India,” he added.

“This is your second visit and I have no doubt that it will impart new impetus to our relationship and advance our cooperation in new areas. International sit has witnessed many changes , rapid socio economic transformation of India and china has opened up new opportunities for progress in our relations in all fields,” he said.

Earlier setting a positive tone, Wen Jiabao expressed confidence that both countries would reach “important strategic consensus” during the visit and take bilateral ties to an “even higher level”.

“I hope that my visit will help increase our cooperation in wide-range of fields and raise our friendship and cooperation to an even higher level,” Jiabao told reporters after being accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

“I am confidence that with the joint efforts of the Prime Minister and I, we will be able to reach important strategic consensus during the visit and the visit will yield important outcomes,” he said. (ANI)