Chinese leaders congratulate India on Republic Day, pledge closer ties

Beijing, Jan 26: Chinese leaders Monday sent congratulatory messages to their Indian counterparts on the country's 66th Republic Day, pledging closer ties between them.

In his message to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Chinese President Xi Jinping said as two ancient civilisations, both India and China were pursuing a great dream of national rejuvenation, Xinhua reported.

China is delighted with India's achievements in its development, he added.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi said China is willing to make concerted efforts with India to lift their strategic cooperative partnership oriented to peace and prosperity to a higher level.

In a message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that in recent years, China and India have kept a stronger momentum in joining hands for cooperation and seeking common development.

China is ready to work with India to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and build a closer partnership of development, he said.

IANS