India values characteristics it shares with China: Chinese daily

India values the characteristics it shares with China but is concerned about the China-Pakistan relationship, according to a leading Chinese daily.

"India values the characteristics it shares with China as a developing country and an emerging power, but it is concerned about border issues, its trade deficit with China, and China-Pakistan ties," an opinion piece in the People's Daily Friday said while commenting on the simultaneous visits of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altanhuyag to China Oct 22.

"It is a rare event in Chinese diplomacy that three foreign leaders, all from countries sharing land borders with China, begin their visits to China on the same day," the article observed.

It pointed out that these visits showed a continuation and acceleration of China's diplomatic strategy.

Stating that this will have a major impact on mutual strategic partnerships, it pointed out that it was the first time since 1954 that the Chinese premier and the Indian prime minister exchanged visits within one year.

According to the article, though China's issues with its bordering countries have become more complex, the country's "new leadership is focused on opening up new prospects for China's diplomacy with surrounding countries".

The visits indicate that China's bright economic prospects were attractive to its foreign partners, it said.

"China's rapid economic development has laid a solid foundation for economic ties with its neighbours - China has now become the largest trading partner of almost all its neighbouring countries, including Russia, India and Mongolia. The long-term economic development strategy between China and its neighbours is consistent, and economic and trade relations are complementary, not competitive," the article stated.

It said that though China historically has had grievances with Russia, Indian and Mongolia, but today all these countries "will focus on the present and look to the future".