Seize the opportunity

Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil kicks off a five-day state visit to China from May 26.

The trip, the first in 10 years by an Indian head of state, has come at a time when both countries are accelerating domestic economic development and responding to shared regional and international challenges.

It has also come amid skirmishes over some thorny issues plaguing bilateral ties although the general outlook is still rosy.