China and India on Thursday pledged to enhance cooperation in tackling climate change that could causes welling sea levels and climate change.

At a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the two leaders discussed issues including climate change and border talks between China and India.

Developed nations should first take the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emission in line with the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," Hu said.

Meanwhile, developed nations should strengthen financial support and technology transfer for promoting sustained growth of the developing countries and improving the latter's capabilities in tackling climate change, he said.

China and India, the world's two most populous nations, were both influenced by the climate change while endeavoring to achieve sustained growth, he pointed out.

Singh said the stance of China and India on climate change was "close." As a global problem, addressing climate change requires "a global response," he stressed.

He said developing countries should not be asked to shoulder burden beyond their responsibilities and hoped to enhance coordination with China in this regard.

Hu and Singh were here to attend a so-called "outreach session" between five major developing countries -- China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa -- and members of the Group of Eight (G8),a group comprising the world's most industrialized countries, in Heiligendamm, a Baltic resort in Germany. The meeting is usually called G8 plus 5 meeting.

During the annual G8 summit, climate change has become a hot topic sparking heated debate, in particular on the goal for greenhouse gas emission and replacement of Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

The two leaders also talked about border issue between the two countries.

"It is the common strategic goal for China and India to resolve the border issue, a problem left by history, at an early date," Hu said.

He hoped the two sides could step up work in line with the spirit of peace and friendship, equal consultation, and mutual respect and understanding.

Singh said that the two countries have reached consensus on the political principles for addressing the issue. The Indian side agreed to work hard in an effort to work out a practical solution at an early date.

Hu paid a visit to India last year and the two countries during Hu's visit reached "ten-item strategy" aiming at enriching the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.

Both Hu and Singh spoke highly the development of bilateral ties after the visit.

"The development of Sino-Indian ties is now on a fast track," Hu said, citing such facts as deepening political dialogue, steadily growing dual-track trade and close communication and coordination between the two countries in international and regional affairs.

The growth of Sino-Indian ties "will have significant and profound impact on the region and the world at large," Hu said.

Singh also commended bilateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the G8 plus 5 meeting.

The Indian side is willing to enhance cooperation with China in combating common challenges, he said.

Later Thursday, Hu, Singh and leaders from Mexico, Brazil and South Africa will hold a collective meeting, usually regarded as a preclude to the G8 plus 5 meeting.