Chinese leaders congratulate India on Republic Day

BEIJING - Chinese leaders on Monday sent congratulatory messages to their Indian counterparts on the 66th Republic Day of the Southern Asian nation, pledging closer ties between the two neighbors.

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

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

Noting 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.