Prime Minister's message

I send my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of China on the occasion of my visit to their country. The relations between India and China have gathered considerable momentum in recent years. Our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership has been strengthened by high-level exchanges between our two countries.

Our friendship and cooperation is not only of bilateral importance but exerts a beneficial impact regionally and globally. There is a growing feeling in the world that rapid economic development of both India and China will be beneficial to Asia and the world.

Our two countries are seeking to intensify cooperation in diverse areas to sustain the momentum of rapid economic development. We can both learn a great deal from an exchange of views on our respective development experiences. This is based on the premise that our two developing countries, with large land masses, populations and geographical diversity are facing similar challenges of providing employment to large rural populations, affordable education and healthcare to all and ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly economic growth.

The city of Beijing will host the Olympic Games later this year. The people of India wish you the very best for the resounding success of this major event.

The relations between India and China and between our two civilizations, are time honored. We must strive with sincerity and determination to develop India-China relations within a cooperative and mutually beneficial framework. Let us work together to realize our goal of peace, friendship and development.

(China Daily 01/14/2008 page13)