The victory of India's ruling coalition in the country's general election is a vote for continuity - continuity of India's economic policy in the time of the global economic crisis. And China hopes it is a vote for continuity of friendly and good neighborly relations, consolidated by Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh among other leaders.

The two leaders' words, spoken in Beijing in Jan 2008, are still fresh in mind. Before a closed-door meeting, Singh reportedly told Wen that while talking to him he felt as if he was dealing with family, and somehow it appeared their ancestors were related. Wen held the elder statesman's hand in return and told him that he treats him like his "elder brother". Cynics may call this posturing, but leaders of the two countries know better. This is the kind of bond we expect from leaders of the two countries, and with Singh likely to continue in the saddle for five more years it seems a distinct possibility.

Singh is familiar with the Chinese political leadership, having interacted with them at summits in China and India, and on-the-sidelines meetings at international gatherings.