Hoping to write a “brighter chapter” in history jointly with China, India on Thursday said the two countries have maturity and wisdom to deal with any differences as they realise the importance of mutual sensitivity to each other’s core concerns.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the two countries do not see any contradiction in each other’s rise and understand the importance to leverage growth and development through mutual cooperation.

“Both of us have an abiding commitment to the Panchsheel principles that we jointly initiated, and realise the importance of mutual sensitivity to each other’s core concerns and interests,” Krishna said at a function organised by the ICWA where Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a lecture.

“As inheritors of ancient civilisations, the modern nation-states of India and China have the maturity and wisdom to deal with any differences through dialogue and diplomacy,” the External Affairs Minister said.

Noting that Wen’s visit shows a commitment to forge stronger political trust, maturely address differences, Krishna said he was confident that both countries will be able to jointly write an even “brighter chapter” in the history in years ahead.

“His visit to India symbolizes the rendezvous between 1.3 billion Chinese people and 1.1 billion Indians. It will set the terms of engagement between the two fastest growing economies in the world,” he said.

Showering praise on Wen for his efforts in improving ties with India, Krishna said he presided over a period of unprecedented intensification of bilateral ties, personally steering the relations from strength to strength.

“It was during his previous visit in April, 2005 that India and China established a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity,” he said.

Crediting sagacity and shared vision of Wen and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for improvement in ties, Krishna said how India and China interact with each other, and jointly with the rest of the world, is a topic of immense contemporary importance.