Both India and China have a stake in regional security. He also favoured a regional trade arrangement. He called for faster implementation of Bangladesh-India-China-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.

Li’s words are significant as he is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Wednesday, winding up his four-day India trip.

Beginning his address to conclave jointly organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the apex Indian industry body, FICCI here on Tuesday, the Chinese Premier greeted the audience with the word – Namaste, a traditional Indian way of greeting.

Li said that India and China need to shake hands across the Himalayas for greater economic integration between the two Asian giants and combining the strengths of their 2.5 billion people to make an impact on the global scene.

He described his talks with the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as “fruitful” and claimed “international media have written positively about my visit.”

'A successful start is halfway to final success,' he said.

'I believe that when India and China speak in one voice the world must listen' — something that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said in the past.

Saying that India-China border issue dates back from history, he said “we have not shied away from this question but have agreed to push forward negotiation. The two sides share the view that China and India have the wisdom to find a fair and mutually acceptable solution'.

Pending a final solution, the two sides 'should improve relevant mechanism for dealing with border affairs including efficiency, properly manage and jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border areas. This serves the shared interests of two countries', he said and added that bilateral relations were such that 'clouds cannot send out the brilliant sun of their relationship'.

He declared that the year 2014 would be the Year of Exchanges between India and China

Emphasising that the two nations must foster closer relations to together make an impact on the Asian and global sphere, Li said : 'I believe that when India and China speak in one voice the world must listen' — something that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said in the past.

Li touched on India's concerns on river flows of the Brahmaputra that originate in China and on the bilateral trade imbalance.

According to him a “dynamic trade balance” between India and China is sustainable.

Li said that his government supports Chinese enterprises to increase investments in India and expand trade in services. 'China and India are huge markets with great potential. India has competitive edge in IT, software and bio-medicines,' he said, adding that China can also help India in its infrastructure projects. He also said that both the sides should work together to curb protectionism.

While India's export to China were only $ 13.52 billion in 2012-13, its imports from that country aggregated to $ 54.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $ 40.78 billion. 'China also understands India's concerns on cross-border rivers,' he said, adding that his country has 'all along' provided assistance to India on hydrological information on flood, handling emergencies. 'We have strengthened communication with India on development and utilisation of cross-border rivers,' he said.