On January 14, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with his visiting Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides reached broad consensus on furthering China-India strategic cooperative partnership in the new situation.

During the talks, Wen spoke highly of China-India relations and acknowledged the fruitful bilateral cooperation in all areas. He said cooperation between China and India is of great importance to world peace and prosperity against the backdrop of profound changes in the current international situation. China and India are not competitors, but cooperative partners. The rapid growth of overall national strength of the two countries has brought opportunities for deepening bilateral ties. He said the Chinese side commends Singh's comment that there is enough space in Asia for both countries to continue to grow, and agrees that the mutual development of China and India will change the outlook of Asia and the world at large. It will not only bring benefits to the two peoples, but also helps to rejuvenate Asia and push forward mankind's lofty cause of peace and development. Both sides should shoulder the historical responsibility of comprehensively developing China-India strategic cooperation in the new times.

Wen said the joint statement, "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India", to be signed by both sides will send positive signals to the world that China and India support each other for mutual progress and the establishment of a harmonious world. Wen said the document would become another key document that outlined mutual relationship development and marked an important step in improving China-India relations. China is ready to work with India to actively implement the ten strategies between the two countries and push for new progress of bilateral relations.

Singh said the relationship between the two largest developing countries had global significance. To develop relations with China is a priority of India's foreign policy. "I pay this visit with a firm belief that India and China will join hands to seize the opportunity and achieve peaceful coexistence, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development so as to contribute to peace and prosperity of Asia and the world at large in the 21st century, "said Singh. The two countries should jointly show to the world that they are not only neighbors and friends, but also partners. India looks forward to strengthening exchanges, building mutual trust, and expanding cooperation with China, said Singh, expressing hope that both side will remain committed to India-China strategic cooperative partnership. He reiterated India would adhere to the one-China policy and would not support the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" or Taiwan authorities' efforts at referendum on Taiwan's U.N. membership.

The two leaders reached consensus in the following six aspects on the development of bilateral ties in the next period. First, strengthen communications of senior officials to build political trust. Second, arrange for mutual visit of foreign ministers within the year, and hold the fourth strategic dialogue. Third, expand mutual investment and strengthen cooperation in energy, science and environmental protection. Regional trade talks between the two would be launched at an appropriate time and the target set for the 2010 bilateral trade volume was raised to 60 billion U.S. dollars from 40 billion U.S. dollars. Fourth, expand humanistic exchanges. A Sino-Indian fund was planned to improve cultural communications, to organize a mutual visit program between young people, and to prepare for the "India Festival" and the "China Festival" in 2010. Fifth, strengthen military exchanges and defense dialogue between the two countries, and plan to hold the second joint anti-terrorist training at an appropriate time. Sixth, step up cooperation in international and regional affairs in order to tackle conventional and unconventional security threats.

Wen said China and India have made positive progress in border issue talks. Both sides should reach a fair, reasonable and feasible framework to resolve the issue as soon as possible based on the strategic perspective and the overall situation of bilateral ties and through equal consultation and mutual understanding and accommodation. "Before the border issue is resolved, both sides should endeavor to maintain peace and stability in the border region," Wen said.

Singh said India has the political will and is resolved to work with China to address the border issue with reference to the political guiding principles the two nations have reached on solving the issue. Singh added he hopes the special representatives of China and India can soon find a solution to this issue left over from history.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Following the talks, the two prime ministers signed the joint statement, "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India", and attended a signing ceremony of other bilateral cooperation documents. Wen and Singh also met with the press and attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-India Joint Medical Mission.

Prior to the talks, Wen Jiabao held a welcoming ceremony for Singh's visit. Among those on the Chinese side who attended the welcoming ceremony were Vice-Chairman He Keng of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Ma Kai, Land and Resources Minister Xu Shaoshi, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan.