Similarities provide for partnership

China and India have sound reasons to learn from each other and a solid foundation to further their strategic cooperative partnership.

With a combined population of more than 2.5 billion, the two countries, each boasting a burgeoning middle class, also provide enormous markets for the world.

Bilateral trade grew from $2.9 billion in 2000 to $61.7 billion in 2010. In 2012, the volume reached $66.5 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce.