Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his counterpart Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G8 summit on Tuesday. The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and expressed their gratitude for the regions growing trade and strengthened ties. During the early morning meeting the leaders discussed common challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, major international and regional issues – developing a regional environment of peace and stability, equality and mutual trust, security and border issues as well as the Olympics, the Sichuan earthquake and the terrorist bomb blast on the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan Xinhua news agency reported.

As major developing countries, China and India bear the common tasks of a developing economy, improving people’s livelihood, safeguarding world peace, and promoting common development, Hu said that China is ready to strengthen contact and coordination with India to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries in a bid to achieve common development.

Singh, for his part, said that India and China are strategic partners and that promoting friendly and cooperative relations with China is the consensus of the Indian government and people.

The two sides have witnessed rapid growth in economic and trade during the past several years, conducted satisfactory exchanges in areas of defense and security, and made consultations and cooperation in global and regional issues like climate change and food prices, said Singh.

On the demarcation of borders between the two countries, Hu expressed hope that the two sides should work out at an early date a fair and just solution acceptable to both sides, in the spirit of peace and friendship, consultation on an equal footing, and mutual respect and understanding,

Noting the important headway already made, Singh suggested the two sides make joint efforts to preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas before a final resolution is achieved, he added. He also expressed hope that the two sides should continue to facilitate the process.

As regards the Olympics less than a month away, Hu said he expected an outstanding performance of the Indian athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Singh said that as an Asian country, India is delighted to see the achievement made by China. He wished the historic Beijing Olympics an enormous success.