NEW DELHI, May 20: India and China studiously played down on Monday a recent border faceoff, saying their maturing ties were an example for other neighbours to follow.

A wide-ranging 35-paragraph joint statement agreed by visiting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Premier Manmohan Singh highlighted the need for intensified economic cooperation, expanding of joint exercises with all the three elements of the armed forces as both kept their eyes peeled for Afghanistan. A global review of issues troubling the world saw them unequivocally frowning on the futuristic military philosophy of Star Wars.

“The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the comprehensive and rapid progress of India-China relations in the 21st century,” the joint statement said. “Over the years, India and China have evolved an effective model of friendly coexistence and common development, which can be an example for relations between big, neighbouring countries.”

On Afghanistan, both sides agreed that the issue concerns regional security and stability. “As two important countries in the region, they reiterated their support for an ‘Afghan-led, Afghan-owned’ reconciliation process and their commitment to working with regional countries and the international community to help Afghanistan achieve its objective of peace, stability, independence and development at an early date.”

There was enough space in the world for the development of India and China, and the world needs the common development of both countries.

“Both countries view each other as partners for mutual benefit and not as rivals or competitors.”

Speaking to the media, Prime Minister Singh recalled the 20-day confrontation in Ladakh which ended earlier in May, when Indians accused Chinese troops of pitching a clutch of tents on their side of the Line of Actual Control.

“We also took stock of lessons learnt from the recent incident in the Western Sector, when existing mechanisms proved their worth,” Dr Singh said, underlining the success of the effective border mechanisms agreed in 1993. “We tasked our Special Representatives to consider further measures that may be needed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border.”

The statement addressed a major Chinese concern over the Dalai Lama’s presence in India. It said the “two sides will not allow their territories to be used for activities against the other. The two sides are committed to taking a positive view of and support each other’s friendship with other countries”, the statement added, perhaps obliquely describing China’s “all weather friendship” with Pakistan.

Indian schools will encourage the learning of the Chinese language, the agreement said. There was a diplomatic reference to the Indian media by implication, which the Chinese have complained of fanning hostilities. “The two sides agreed to enhance media exchanges and cooperation to improve the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples, and to hold an India-China High-Level Media Forum.” The two foreign ministries will work closely together in this aspect.

Calling it clean energy, India and China said they would carry out bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy in line with their respective international commitments.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation processes. “They support the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all nuclear weapons and reaffirm their opposition to the weaponisation of and an arms race in outer space.”

“The two sides noted that enhanced interaction in the military field was conducive to building mutual trust and confidence. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of joint training exercises later this year. Both sides also decided to increase exchanges between the Army, Navy and Air Force of the two countries.”