Build better ties between India-China: India Prez to Chinese youth

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) It is time to create a better understanding between the peoples of India and China and youngsters of both these countries can make it happen, India's President Pratibha Patil said here today. As a delegation of 500 youngsters from China met her at the President's House, Patil expressed the hope that both the countries can help establish the 21st century as the "Asian century". "I am of the view that now what is required, is to create a better understanding between the people of our two countries and this is where our youth can play a major role. The youth of the two countries should travel to different places in each other's countries, understand each other's culture and traditions, share with each other their ideas and experiences, identify areas of cooperation, and together act on these areas to create such a synergy," Patil said. The President also asked the Chinese youth to make "new friends" in India. "I encourage you to take the opportunity to make new friends in India. You have the future responsibility of further strengthening India-China relations, and I am sure that you will carry out this responsibility with utmost care and enthusiasm," she said. Patil hoped that both the countries, through their collaboration, can help establish the 21st century as the "Asian century". The youth from China are here as part of an exchange programme. A similar delegation from India had visited China While describing youth as the "future of the world", Patil said both the countries have recognised the strength of the overwhelming presence of youngsters in both India and China. "In India as well as in China, the youth comprise a large proportion of the population. This demographic dividend has contributed immensely to the efforts that our countries are putting towards achieving developmental aspirations. I am of the view, that the more that we do towards channelising the energy of our youth, the faster would be our growth," she said. Patil also recounted her state visit to China in May 2010 where she had "extensive and constructive discussions with the leadership of China". India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken and the Secretary of the Chinese delegation Luo Mei were also present during the meeting. The youth delegation is in India as part of a new initiative to improve people to people contact between the two countries. Arriving in New Delhi from different parts of China on a nine-day visit to India, the delegation will now split into four different groups and branch out to Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Rajasthan. The delegation is a reciprocal visit to 500 Indian youth delegation which visited China last year during which it met Chinese Prime Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of People. PTI Caption for pic: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil with India's Youth Affairs Minister Ajay Maken (left) and All-China Youth Federation Secretary Lue Mei (seated right), who is leading the Chinese youth delegation, during a meeting at the President's House in New Delhi on Monday. Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan (standing 3rd from left) is also seen. PTI Photo