President Pratibha Patil on Monday called for a better understanding between the peoples of India and China.
She asked youngsters of both these countries to make the 21st century as the ‘Asian century’. “I am of the view that now what is required, is to create a better understanding between the people of our two countries and this is where our youth can play a major role. The youth of the two countries should travel to different places in each other’s countries, understand each other’s culture and traditions,” Ms Patil said, addressing a delegation of about 500 youngsters from both countries at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
She called for sharing of ideas and experiences and identifying areas of cooperation. The President also asked the Chinese youth to make ‘new friends’ in India.
“I encourage you to take the opportunity to make new friends in India. You have the future responsibility of further strengthening India-China relations, and I am sure that you will carry out this responsibility with utmost care and enthusiasm,” she said.
Ms Patil hoped that both the countries, through their collaboration, could help establish the 21st century as the ‘Asian century’.
“India and China as two major Asian countries will play a major role in the realisation of this dream. The content, scope and depth of the India-China relationship will to a large extent define the Asian century,” she added.