India, China relations grossly under-utilised: Krishna

NEW DELHI: Observing that India-China relations are "grossly under-utilised", External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the two countries should leverage their strengths while being sensitive to each other's concerns to realise the true potential in the ties.

He said the divergence of views between the two sides was often "exaggerated" and the two sides should not just cooperate but "must be seen doing so by the rest of the world."

Speaking at a seminar on Sino-India relations, Krishna said a hotline between the Prime Ministers of the two countries was expected to be made operational soon.

"While we accept that there are outstanding issues between the two large countries, we have to address each other's concerns and sensitivities on issues impinging each other's security and well being," he said at the event jointly organised by Communist Party of China (CPC) and Congress.

The seminar was organised to coincide with the visit of senior Chinese Communist Party leader Zhou Yong Kang here.

Opining that Sino-India relations were "grossly under-realised", Krishna said, "unless we address some of the issues of bilateral concern, our relationship will not attain its true potential for building of a common future in this Asian century."

He said if India and China work "purposefully" in the field of economic and infrastructural integration, "the world stands to their feet. After all we are working to uplift the living standards of almost one third of the humanity."

Noting that the two countries could benefit from closer cooperation as they were facing similar challenges, Krishna said, "We should ask, as neighbours, are we making the best of these opportunities. Can we not leverage each other's strengths and be more sensitive to each other's concerns."

He said a "strong and stable" relationship between the two sides will have consequences for the whole world.

Turning to the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here, he said India would offer a warm welcome to him.