'Asia's voice will be stronger if India, China speak in one voice': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Asia's voice will be stronger if India and China speak in one voice for each other and also stressed on the need to settle border and boundary issues peacefully and quickly.

"Geography and history tell us that the dream of an interconnected Asia will be successful, when India and China work together. A resurgent Asia is seeking a bigger voice in global affairs. Asia's voice will be stronger if India and China speak in one voice for each," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing faculty and students at the Tsinghua University here.

"We must try to settle the boundary question quickly. We both realise that this is history's legacy. We have to enhance our cooperation across the full spectrum of our relationship. We should think of creative solutions for issues that have become irritants - from visa policies to trans-border rivers," he added.

The Prime Minister further stressed on the need to improve the access of Indian industry to the Chinese market.

"The world's two most populous nations are undergoing change unprecedented in history. You will feel a change in India; you can notice our growth rate. In many ways our two countries reflect similar challenges and opportunities. To maintain this partnership over the long run, we must also improve the access of Indian industry to the Chinese market," he said.

"You are a world class institution. The wealth that increases by giving is supreme of all possessions. After dark passages of history, India and China stand on verge of vast dynamic change in world," he added.

He also said that India has taken big steps to reform policies and open up to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

"India is the next frontier of economic revolution. We have taken big steps to reform our policies and open up to FDI. We are building a tax regime that is stable and competitive. We will make sure that land acquisition doesn't become a barrier to growth or burden to farmers. We have launched major schemes for financial inclusion of everyone; we are ensuring that insurance and pension schemes reach the poor," said Prime Minister Modi.

Talking on the need to curb terrorism, Prime Minister Modi said both India and China must address issues that might lead to doubt, even distress, in the relations between the two nations.

"The spreading extremism and terrorism is a threat we both face, for both the source is the same region. We must address issues that lead to doubt, even distress, in our relation. We have kept our borders peaceful; we have managed our differences and have not let them affect closer cooperation," said Prime Minister Modi.

"We must also deal with the changing character of terrorism that has made it less predictable and more diffused. The solution we choose should do more than settle the boundary question. We source a large part of our energy from the same region that faces instability," he added.