Visiting Premier Wen Jiabao said in New Delhi Monday China and India would establish closer partnership relations.  

After an official reception honored to him by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Wen told reporters "We will establish closer partnership, we will finalize political guiding principles for solving border issue and we will announce the five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation after my talks with Singh."

A friendship bridge will be set up between China and India, which "will lead us to the future," the Chinese premier said before holding talks with Singh.

Wen described his visit as an important one in the history of Sino-Indian relations and expressed his belief that his visit would deepen the friendship between the two countries.

Wen arrived in New Delhi Sunday evening from Bangalore, southern India, where he visited the hi-tech park.

(Xinhua News Agency, April 11, 2005)