New Delhi, June 26: Describing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s visit to China as "highly successful", external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha tonight said there has been "narrowing of differences" and "progress" in the relationship. "There has been narrowing of differences between the two countries," Sinha told a news channel observing "there is progress in the bilateral relationship".
He said the "central focus" in the talks between the two sides was on enhancing trade and economic cooperation. Bilateral trade had already touched five billion dollars.

"We are within striking distance of reaching 10 billion dollars in the next two years," he said observing that this showed the vitality that existed in the trade and economic relationship between the two countries and "we can make enormous progress in these areas". He said the "Prime Minister`s visit has been highly successful. Very important steps have been announced in taking the relationship forward".
Terming the joint declaration signed by Vajpayee and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao as a "landmark document", he said "this will set the pace and the form of the relationship in the future".
Bureau Report