BEIJING, March 7: China and India should be partners rather than rivals, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday, Xinhua and Reuters news agencies reported.

“We must make sure that our relationship moves forward on the right track,” Wang said.

With regard to the border issue left over from history, China has always advocated managing differences through equal-footed consultation and seeking a just and reasonable solution, without letting it affect or interfere with the bigger picture of bilateral cooperation, Wang said, the news agencies reported.

China and India have a combined population of over 2.8 billion and account for one third of humanity, Wang said. When the two countries achieve stability and prosperity and live in peace and harmony, global peace and prosperity will have a solid foundation, he added.

Only by staying independent can the two sides firmly grasp their own destiny and realise goals of development and rejuvenation, Wang said.  (Reuters and Xinhua)