Neighbourhood terror affects both India, China, says PM

Singh asserted that ndia and China need a stable, secure and prosperous Asia-Pacific region

Emphasizing that India and China share common challenges, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said terrorism, extremism and radicalism emanating in the neighbourhood affect both countries directly.

Addressing the Chinese Communist Party's Central Party School in Beijing, Singh said: "India and China have also benefited from a largely stable global order and peaceful periphery. But, we cannot take a stable political and security environment in our region, and beyond, for granted. If we look carefully, many of our challenges are common.

Terrorism, extremism and radicalism emanating from our neighbourhood affect both of us directly and can create instability across Asia."

"Similarly, maritime security in the Pacific and Indian Oceans is vital for our economies just as peace and stability in West Asia and Gulf are essential for our energy security," he added.

Asserting that India and China need a stable, secure and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, Singh said: "The centre of gravity of global opportunities and challenges are shifting to this region. In the coming decades, China and India, together with the United States, Japan, Korea and the ASEAN Community, will be among the largest economies in the world.

"While this region embodies unparalleled dynamism and hope, it is also one with unsettled questions and unresolved disputes. It will be in our mutual interest to work for a cooperative, inclusive and rule-based security architecture that enhances our collective security and regional and global stability," he added.

He further said while both India and China are large and confident enough to manage their security challenges on their own, we can be more effective if we work together.

"Regional stability and prosperity will also gain from stronger connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. This should be a shared enterprise of India and China," he added.