China ready to take partnership with India to higher level: Xi Jinping

BEIJING: China today said it is ready to make concerted efforts with India to lift their bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level as they pursue a great dream of national rejuvenation.

Greeting India on its 66th Republic Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message to President Pranab Mukherjee, said China is delighted with India's achievements in its development.

Both China and India, as two ancient civilisations, are pursuing a great dream of national rejuvenation, he said.

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 this year which marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

In his message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said 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.