Li Keqiang arrived in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon for the first leg of his maiden foreign trip since he became premier in March. Photo: Xinhua" src="http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2011/aaefca3e-9890-41d8-8236-a51d0cbc5a89.jpeg">

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon for the first leg of his maiden foreign trip since he became premier in March. Photo: Xinhua

 
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang started his visit to India yesterday. As China's new premier, his selection of India for his first overseas trip has widely been interpreted as a sign that China is attaching greater importance and respect to this large neighbor.

The relationship between China and India has long been plagued by negative news. This has caused public opinion about the relationship to become more negative than the reality warrants. Around 10 days ago, a "tent confrontation" between the two sides made headlines.

It's difficult to simply judge Sino-Indian relations as "good" or "bad." New conflicts initiated by border disputes may break out at any time, according to worst-case scenarios.

However, the actual situation in border areas is much better than the Diaoyu Islands disputes and some other disputed islands in the South China Sea. Both sides have been trying to divert the focus of the bilateral relationship from border disputes to other areas. In spite of media hype, both sides share a common will in terms of preventing border problems from impeding Sino-Indian ties.

Such rationality is commendable in present-day Asia where nationalism runs rampant.

In fact, both the West and public opinion from China and India evaluate the Sino-Indian relationship from the perspective of geopolitics, which can easily lead one to focus on competition.

However, currently, the Chinese and Indian governments often analyze each other in terms of global strategy. From this logic, these two large emerging countries have many common interests on major issues such as the global financial order and climate change, which means that the two countries must seek cooperation. China and India's combined potential are large enough to make the West anxious. Internal dissension between China and India meets Western interests.

There are many weaknesses in the bilateral relationship which can be exploited by outsiders. Without mutual respect, small frictions can be exaggerated. Also, if both nations simultaneously rise, they may put pressure on the other.

The Indian sense of national pride is very strong but Chinese society doesn't want to adapt. Chinese people lack understanding and respect toward India. They tend to judge it according to ill-conceived preconceptions.

Previously, China's efforts to promote ties with India were less obvious than the US'.

However, China's surrounding environment will suffer if India, a country which has the prospect of running neck-and-neck with China, becomes another Japan or Philippines in terms of its policies toward China.

The Sino-Indian relationship is at its best period in decades despite mutual suspicion.

Both China and India should bear the primary responsibility for cultivating the bilateral relationship. They should create more "good news" to counter media hype. Not only determination, but also wisdom is needed to develop Sino-Indian strategic ties. Grumbling about media coverage doesn't help. Governments should also play a role in guiding public opinion.