2010-07-05 20:56

BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao said here Monday that China regards India as an important strategic partner of cooperation.

Chinese?premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with visiting Indian prime ministerial special envoy Shiv Shankar Menon in the central government compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijingon July 5th, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

"We will work with India to maintain high level visits and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns," Wen said when meeting visiting Indian prime ministerial special envoy Shiv Shankar Menon.

Wen also pledged to enhance dialogue and cooperation with India to benefit the two peoples, and make joint efforts to promote world peace and common prosperity.

Hailing the 60-year diplomatic ties between China and India, Wen said the bilateral relationship has matured well, with deepening mutual political trust and remarkable achievements in cooperation in various sectors.

The two countries have also reached important agreements and made sound coordination in coping with the international financial crisis, climate change and other major issues, Wen noted.

Wen said China and India, as neighbors and large developing nations with largest populations, enjoy not only profound historical and cultural origins but also broad common interests.

"A healthy, stable and dynamic China-India relationship is of far-reaching significance to the two nations, Asia and the whole world at large," he said.

Wen also extended greetings to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the President of the Indian Congress Party Sonia Gandhi.

Menon, who served as Indian National Security Advisor, delivered Prime Minister Singh's letter to Premier Wen.

Menon quoted Singh's saying that China is a great and friendly neighbor of India, and the relationship with China is one of the most important foreign relations for India.

Both India and China have developed rapidly in recent years, and the two nations have established a strategic partnership of cooperation, with increasing mutual trust. Menon said this has laid a sound foundation for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

With the world going through an important development phase, both India and China should take bigger role in directing its course, Menon said.

India would work with China to jointly make development planning and create new situations for the growth of bilateral ties, he noted.

Menon arrived in Beijing Saturday, and is scheduled to conclude his trip on July 6.