H.E. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Tonight, we are gathered here to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. Please allow me to extend warm welcome to all guests present here. On April 1st 1950, China and India established diplomatic ties which opened a new chapter in more than 2000-year long history of our relationship.

Over the past 60 years, thanks to the personal commitments of generations of our leaders, China-India relations have stood test of various kinds of challenges and achieved steady progress. Today, China-India relations have become one of the most important bilateral relations and enjoy global and strategic significance. A stable and healthy relationship between China and India is not only in the interests of both countries, but also contribute to the peace and stability of Asia and the entire world.

Over the past 60 years, China and India enjoyed mutual understanding and support in their respective endeavor to maintain independence and sovereignty, and in their national building. Today China-India relations witness a rapid progress in every field, marked by frequent high-level interactions, expanding communications and cooperation between parliaments, political parties, armed forces as well as people of two countries. China and India has become major trading partners. The cooperation in every field has already brought tangible benefits to the people of two countries.

Over the past 60 years, China and India have enjoyed good cooperation in regional and global affairs. The famous Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence initiated by China and India during 1950s remain to be one of the guiding principles of international relations. Both countries are playing a pivotal role in promoting multi-polarization and democratization of international relations. On important issues, such as climate changes, international financial crisis and world trade negotiations, China and India are working closely for the common interests of the international community and that of developing countries.

We are happy to see that with the establishment of Strategic and cooperative partnership in 2005, the formulation of a Ten-Pronged Strategy in 2006 and the signing of A Shared Vision for the 21st Century in 2008, a solid foundation have been laid for the furtherance of our relationship. China and India are committed to the deepening of our partnership and the building of a harmonious world with peace and prosperity.

In his congratulatory message to Indian President, Pratibha Patil, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Chinese President Hu Jintao underlines: "As two major emerging developing countries, China and India face common tasks and challenges, have extensive shared interests and shoulder important responsibilities. The good-neighborly friendship and cooperation between China and India and their common development not only benefit our two countries but also serve peace and development of Asia and the entire world. The Chinese side deems its relationship with India one of the most important bilateral relationships. To develop a long-term and stable strategic and cooperative partnership with India is the set principle and policy of the Chinese Government."

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the years, friends from all walks of life of India and from other parts of the world have made invaluable contributions to the development of friendly relations and cooperation between China and India. I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly for that noble cause. I am convinced that with the concerted efforts of the governments and peoples of two countries, China-India relationship will have a bright future.

Now, I propose a toast, to the friendship between China and India, to the health of leaders of two countries, to the prosperity of our two peoples. Cheers!