Xi keen on strong Sino-Indian ties

• Notes Singh's good bonding with his predecessors
• Assures to take forward groundwork laid by them
• Underscores a rational solution to the border row

Durban, (IANS): The new Chinese leadership under President Xi Jinping has told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh it will continue to pursue the positive groundwork laid down by its predecessors to improve ties between the two Asian neighbours, notwithstanding the long-pending border dispute. This was the outcome of two significant meetings Xi had with PM Manmohan Singh, one on the margins of the BRICS Summit on Wednesday and the other a more structured two-way engagement hours later. It was also their first eye-to-eye contact since Xi assumed presidency two weeks ago. The Chinese president himself told our Prime Minister that he knew about the good bonding our Prime Minister shared with his predecessors," an Indian official told IANS, referring to Manmohan Singh's associations with former Chinese president Hu Jintao and former premier Wen Jiabao. "'I would like to continue that relationship', that's what he said when the two met," the official said, referring to the first meaningful contact between the Chinese and Indian leaders during a luncheon at the BRICS Summit. The two also met formally later at night -- hours of delays after their scheduled bilateral engagement set for post-noon -- at the conclusion of the summit, during which, officials said, "the entire range of issues" were discussed, alluding that it ranged from the border issue to bilateral trade imbalance. There was also an emphasis on the two sides being able to "properly handle differences". Xi said here that the world needs the common development of China and India and that both countries should strive for a rational solution to the border row. Xi said China and India should improve and make good use of the mechanism of special representatives to strive for a fair, rational solution framework acceptable to both sides as soon as possible.

Assad urges BRICS to help end crisis Damascus (IANS): Syrian President Bashar Al Assad on Wednesday appealed to BRICS countries to help his unrest-stricken country restore security and stability. In a letter to those countries, he asked them to work together to end Syria's two-year-long bloody conflict and facilitate a political solution. Al Assad also urged the five nations to exert all possible efforts to alleviate the Syrian people's sufferings caused by the "unjust and illegal" economic sanctions. The appeal came a day after the Arab League, which suspended Syria's membership in November 2011, granted the long-vacant seat to the West-backed Syrian opposition, the National Coalition, and called on all countries to back it with all means, including military ones. The Syrian government rejected the pan-Arab body's move, warning it would have "dangerous" repercussions on the Arab League's future as it would cause more bloodshed and encourage "terrorism and terrorists". The government said it would "hinder the genuine efforts" exerted by caring countries and parties to "find out a political solution based on dialogue among the Syrians." BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have just concluded their fifth summit in South African city of Durban. The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has killed more than 60,000 people and displaced more than three million, including 1.1 million fleeing to neighboring countries.