BEIJING, March 19 -- China and India on Wednesday pledged to further enhance their strategic partnership and cooperation in areas such as urbanization, railway and energy.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Deputy Chairman of India's Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is here for the third China-India Strategic Economic Dialogue.

Li said both China and India face the common task of stepping up economic transformation, improving people's livelihood while protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.

He hoped the two countries, both with vast population, could expand cooperation in areas including urbanization, information and telecommunication, and high technology.

Li also called on the two countries to combine China's technology and cost advantage in high-speed rail and energy sectors with India's market demand, jointly promote the construction of the Bangladesh-India-China-Myanmar economic corridor, and push forward regional intercommunication and integration.

This year marks the Year of Friendly Exchanges between the two countries. China was ready to work with India to consolidate their political mutual trust and expand cooperation, he said.

Ahluwalia said the two countries' cooperation is facing a rare opportunity. India will strengthen their cooperation in such areas as industrial parks, railway, energy and urbanization.

He also invited more Chinese companies to invest in India and pledged to provide them with support.

The one-day dialogue was co-chaired by Ahluwalia and Head of China's National Development and Reform Commission Xu Shaoshi on Tuesday in Beijing.