Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil kicks off a five-day state visit to China from May 26.

The trip, the first in 10 years by an Indian head of state, has come at a time when both countries are accelerating domestic economic development and responding to shared regional and international challenges.

It has also come amid skirmishes over some thorny issues plaguing bilateral ties although the general outlook is still rosy.

It is hoped that the two sides will seize this opportunity to hold in-depth talks on issues of major concern. That should help intensify mutual trust and cement bilateral ties.

While bilateral trade has shown strong momentum so far this year with Indian exports notably increasing, some dissonances have marred the bonhomie.

Chinese exporters were disappointed by India's restrictions on the use of Chinese telecom equipment. The Indian media's apprehensions over the border issue and the sensationalization of an opinion poll that showed Chinese citizens' scarce knowledge of India, have resulted in some friction.

Lack of trust and mutual understanding could be the major reason behind such irritants. Past issues have led some in India to conclude that China is a competitor or even a threat to itself. Insufficient communication means people on both sides know little about their neighbor.

For bilateral ties to touch new heights, China and India should move beyond past acrimony, deepen political trust and increase people-to-people exchanges.

Increased mutual trust and understanding will help the two countries view each other as trustworthy partners and look at contentious issues through the prism of a much-larger Sino-Indian friendship. The two Asian titans together will contribute more to regional and world peace.

(China Daily 05/26/2010 page8)