On October 12, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued their meeting in Chennai, during which the two leaders exchanged views in candid and in-depth manner on China-India relations and major international and regional issues of common concern in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Xi Jinping pointed out, China-India relations have entered a new phase of sound and stable development since the meeting between Mr. Prime Minister and me in Wuhan last year. The positive effects of the meeting are constantly emerging. As important neighbors to each other, China and India are the only two countries with a population of more than 1 billion. Maintaining and developing China-India relations are China's unswerving policy. Under the current international circumstances, China and India shoulder increasingly important responsibilities in safeguarding global stability and promoting its development. The next few years marks a crucial period for China and India to realize national rejuvenation and also for the development of China-India relations. We must hold the rudder and steer the course of China-India relations, map out a centenary plan for China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, inject a strong endogenous impetus into China-India relations, and work together to realize the great rejuvenation of the two civilizations.

Xi Jinping made several proposals:

First, China and India should correctly view each other's development and enhance strategic mutual trust. China and India should be good neighbors that live in harmony and partners going forward together from any point of view. It is the only correct choice of both sides to realize the duet of the Chinese "dragon" and the Indian "elephant""dragon, which serves best the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples. The two countries should and can embark on a broad road of friendly cooperation between the two major neighboring countries. We should correctly view our differences and never let the differences shadow the overall situation of bilateral cooperation. At the same time, we should gradually seek understanding through communication and constantly resolve differences. The Chinese side hopes to develop well, and has the same hope for India. The two countries should help each other to accomplish their respective goals and "light up" each other.

Second, China and India should have strategic communication in a timely and effective manner to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation and firmly hold the general direction of bilateral relations. We should focus on friendship and cooperation, dispel suspicions and doubts, and properly handle differences and sensitive issues. To solve the boundary issue, the two countries should seek a solution that is fair, reasonable and acceptable to both sides in accordance with the agreement on political guiding principles. We should prudently deal with issues concerning each other's core interests, and for problems that cannot be solved at the moment, we should properly manage and control them.

Third, China and India should practically improve military and security exchanges and cooperation. We should promote military relations along the correct direction of enhancing trust, dispelling doubts and strengthening friendly cooperation, carry out activities including professional cooperation and joint training, continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries, strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and security departments, and safeguard regional security and stability.

Fourth, China and India should deepen practical cooperation and tighten the ties of interests. We should take the opportunity of establishing a high-level economic and trade dialogue mechanism to strengthen alignment of our respective economic development strategies, and seek to build a manufacturing partnership. We welcome investment and cooperation of Indian pharmaceutical and information technology companies in China.

Fifth, China and India should enrich people-to-people exchanges and cement the foundation of friendship. We should ensure the success of next year's celebration of the 70 anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations and the activities marking the China-India year of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, support the establishment of friendly ties between China's Fujian Province and India's State of Tamil Nadu, as well as those between cities of Quanzhou and Chennai, to write a new chapter of the Maritime Silk Road.

Sixth, China and India should enhance cooperation in international and regional affairs. We should take a clear-cut stand to safeguard the international system with the United Nations as its core and the international order with international law as its basis, firmly uphold multilateralism and maintain the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core, and safeguard the legitimate development rights of developing countries. Coordination should be strengthened within the framework of multilateral mechanisms including the G20, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and China-Russia-India cooperation. And we need to explore a gradual expansion of the "China-India Plus" cooperation to South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa, create a more unobstructed regional connectivity network, and reach the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as early as possible.

Narendra Modi expressed, India and China, as two major ancient civilizations and developing countries, should strengthen communication, coordination, and cooperation and maintain a stable development of bilateral relations, which bears positive and important significance to both countries and the world in the current international situation full of uncertainties. The two countries should accommodate each other's major concerns, effectively manage and control and address differences rather than let differences breed disputes, develop a closer partnership and usher in a new era of India-China relationship.

Narendra Modi once again expressed his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, saying that the Indian side admires China's great achievements. Both in the process of national rejuvenation, India and China are facing many similar challenges. The Indian side is willing to strengthen mutual learning and deepen and expand practical cooperation with the Chinese side. The Indian side thanks the Chinese side for its increase of imports of Indian products such as rice and sugar, and is looking forward to fully utilizing the high-level economic and trade dialogue mechanism to promote the balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade. More Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest in manufacturing and other industries in India. The two sides should jointly make a success of the 70 celebration events next year marking the 70th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations, and India also welcomes more Chinese tourists. It is hoped that the two sides could carry out joint research to further explore the long history of India-China exchanges. Underlining the importance of safeguarding strategic independence, the Indian side stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with the Chinese side under multilateral frameworks, meet global challenges together and safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries. The Indian side is willing to join hands with China to push for the RCEP agreement at an early date and boost connectivity and strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism.

Xi Jinping said, I have exchanged views with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on China-India relations in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. We enhanced mutual understanding and formed clearer goals and ideas. We need to instruct relevant departments of both sides to implement the results of the meeting so as to open up new prospects of China-India cooperation.

Xi Jinping said, I have received grand welcome and warm hospitality from the Indian government and people, and felt the profound traditional friendship between the two peoples throughout the visit. I invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit China again for meetings.

Narendra Modi said, we have in-depth communication in a friendly atmosphere, which consolidates friendship, increases mutual understanding and trust, and tightens the ties between the two ancient civilizations. I speak highly of President Xi Jinping's foresight and sagacity, as well as sincerity and pragmatism. India and China should not only face the history, but also forge ahead to create the future. The world peace and mankind's progress require the two countries' cooperation in the 21st century. I attach great importance to the friendship with President Xi Jinping and am willing to maintain such conducive and effective strategic communication with you and create a beautiful future for India-China relations together. I look forward to meeting with you again in China.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others were present at above event.