China-India strategic partners, says Chinese media

Fifty years after a war across their high Himalayan frontier left decades of bitterness, the Chinese media, echoing the establishment's thinking, on Saturday struck a positive note, declaring India and China had come a long way to establish a "comprehensive strategic partnership".

Suggesting that the spectre of war should be left behind, the tightly-controlled Chinese media -- in a rare commentary on Sino-India ties -- said the two nations had achieved progress despite differences due to unresolved border disputes.

But it warned that the US and Western media were trying to "sow discord" between the two Asian giants and lead the two neighbours in the direction of a confrontation.

In an article titled "Who sows discord in India-China Relations", the Shanghai-based Liberation Daily -- regarded highly by the Chinese political and military establishment -- quoted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaking about building strong Sino-Indian ties.

On the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Sino-India war on Saturday, the influential daily noted that India was not allowing its territory to be used for "anti-China activities" or "encirclement" strategy vis-a-viz China and recognises the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of Chinese territory, saying these were positive signs.

Lauding some of the write-ups in Indian media on the eve of the anniversary suggesting that the spectre of war should be put behind, the article praised the "rational attitude" taken by the Indian leadership in improving ties with China.

"The rational attitude taken by India's leaders and top officials, not only conforms to the demands of this era of peace, development and co-operation, but is also in the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries and a reflection of the current state of bilateral relationship," it said.

Stating that the two countries came long way from the deadly conflict that resulted in deaths of thousands of troops on both sides, it said the progress was achieved despite differences due to unresolved border dispute.