(Translation)

H. E. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
President of the Republic of India
New Delhi

Your Excellency,

On the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of India, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese People and in my own name, warm congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency, and through you, to the Indian people.

China and India are neighbours linked by mountains and rivers. The friendship between our two peoples can be traced back to ancient times. We are glad to see that in the recent years, especially the last year, the relationship between our two countries has been remarkably developed, and the exchanges and cooperation have been expanded continuously in various fields. Sino-Indian relations have marched into a new phase of all-round development.

China adopts the foreign policy of "being kind to neighours and treating neighours as partners" to the neighbouring countries, and attaches importance to the long-term, stable and sound good-neighborly relations with India. Currently, China and India have an important opportunity for the development of our relations. I am confident that, so long as both sides abide by the basic principles for Sino-Indian relations, implement every consensus that our two countries have reached, and with the joint efforts of the both sides, the long-term Sino-Indian constructive partnership of cooperation will surely have a broad prospect.

May Your Excellency enjoy happiness and good health.

May the Republic of India enjoy prosperity.



                                                                                     Hu Jintao
                                                                                   President of
                                                                the People's Republic of China
                                                                           Beijing, January 22, 2004



                                                                                                        (Translation)

H. E. A.B. Vajpayee
Prime Minister of the Republic of India
New Delhi

Your Excellency,

On the auspicious occasion of the 54th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of India, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government and in my own name, festive congratulations and best wishes to your Excellency and the Indian Government.

I am happy to see that thanks to the joint efforts of our two sides, Sino-Indian relations achieved a new remarkable development in the last year. The mutual understanding and trust between our two countries were further enhanced and the exchanges and cooperation deepened and expanded in various fields. Especially in last June, You Excellency paid a successful visit to China, during which we signedDeclaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India,symbolizing that Sino-Indian relations have marched into a new phase of all-round development. The friendly Sino-Indian relations not only accord with common interests of our two countries and two peoples but also benefit the peace and stability of the region. We would like to, along with the Indian side, catch the scarce historic opportunity, maintain the sound momentum and push forward the long-term Sino-Indian constructive partnership of cooperation to new highs continuously in the years to come.  

May Your Excellency enjoy good health and happiness.

May the Republic of India enjoy prosperity and progress.



                                                                                 Wen Jiabao
                                                                     Premier of the State Council
                                                                of the People's Republic of China
                                                                         Beijing, January 22, 2004