Sino-Indian ties at new starting point, president says

China-India relations are standing at a new starting point and facing new opportunities, President Xi Jinping said in a congratulatory message to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on Wednesday.

In the past seven decades, China-India relations have developed on an extraordinary path, Xi said.

With efforts made by both sides, the two nations have built a strategic partnership in the direction of peace and prosperity, and they are making efforts to build closer relations as development partners, Xi said.

Exchanges between the two countries are deepening in all areas, Xi said, adding that they have strengthened coordination in major international issues.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-India relations. He added that he would like to make joint efforts with India's president to promote bilateral relations to a higher stage and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

Kovind said in his congratulatory message to Xi that India-China relations have seen substantial development in the past seven decades, with communication in political, economic and people-to-people matters becoming closer and closer.

India and China, two neighbors as ancient civilizations and major emerging markets, both benefit from good relations, he said, adding that India would like to deepen closer relations as development partners with China.

On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also exchanged congratulatory messages.

Li said friendly cooperation and mutual benefit suits the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples while helping the world.

China would like to take the opportunity of the 70th anniversary to promote more progress in the China-India strategic cooperation partnership, Li said.

Modi said that the two countries have made steady progress in political, economic and people-to-people areas and that the two countries should enhance coordination and unity to deal with world challenges.