Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday called for "further strengthening of relations" between India and China.

Speaking after drawing the lots for the Davis Cup tie between India and China that begins Friday, he said people from both countries should understand one another better, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

Recalling the ancient links between the two regions, the prime minister also pointed out that being developing countries, both nations faced similar problems.

He also lauded the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for its decision to adopt 12 children orphaned by the tsunami tragedy.

AITA president Yashwant Sinha, Indian Army chief J. J. Singh, Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and members of the Indian and Chinese Davis Cup teams were present on the occasion.