Speaking highly of the important progress made in recent years in the development of bilateral ties, Hu said the Chinese side would work with the Indian side to raise the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership to a new high.

While highly valuing the AINC's important contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations, he noted that the establishment of the bilateral partnership demonstrated the wisdom of the AINC leaders.

Hu said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) enjoyed sound exchanges with the AINC and he was convinced that the AINC would, under Sonia Gandhi's leadership, make new contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Sonia Gandhi said the AINC and the Indian people held that the development of bilateral relations had brought and would continue to bring important benefits to the two countries and their peoples.

She said it would benefit the two countries and their peoples to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of politics, economy, science, technology, culture and defense.

She said the AINC would make positive efforts to push forward the bilateral partnership, and it would further party-to-party exchanges with the CPC.

Hu arrived here on Monday evening for a state visit at the invitation of Indian President Abdul Kalam.

This is the first visit to India by a Chinese head of state in 10 years.

India is the third leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam and Laos, and will also take him to Pakistan.

He also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 17 to 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.