India and China on Thursday exchanged greeting at the highest level to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them with the leaders underscoring the "strength and momentum" gained by the relations in past years.
Conveying "warm greetings and good wishes" to the leadership and people of China, President of India Pratibha Patil, in a letter to her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, observed that "our bilateral relations have gained in strength and momentum and have assumed global and strategic dimensions as a result of efforts by the two sides".
In a message to his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh said, "India-China relations have diversified into almost all areas of human endeavour. They have achieved a high level of maturity that serves the interests of both our peoples and the cause of
peace, stability and progress in the region and the world."
Noting that the two countries were important trade partners, Singh said, "We regard the future of India-China relations with optimism", and that he looked forward to working with the Chinese Premier "to harness the vast potential for the further expansion of our ties to realise the
mutual aspirations of our two peoples".
The Prime Minister said the Shared Vision for the 21st Century which was signed in 2008 provides the road map for the continued interaction and cooperation in the years ahead, according to an External Affairs Ministry statement.
Messages were also exchanged between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.