Because of the unresolved border issue, it used to be common for international observers to make skeptical judgments about relations between China and India and the so-called rivalry between the two Asian powers. But now they are having to rapidly readjust their views.

The three-day visit by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Beijing last week was by any standard a significant and fruitful one. The Joint Statement the two countries issued unequivocally illustrated an encouraging picture of fast developing bilateral relations and the level to which the two neighbors and world's most populous nations are ready to enhance their relations.

In their statement, aside from the agreements on economic cooperation, the countries emphasized the strategic nature of their partnership, as demonstrated by the Border Defense Cooperation Agreement and the arrangements for joint military exercises.