In a New Year message to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Singh said the fast developing ties between India and China was an important determinant for the peace and security as well as development and prosperity of Asia and the world.

"We are confident that in the New Year, we will be able to continue with greater determination to impart further depth and substance to our rapidly growing ties, and add an important new chapter to India-China friendship", the prime minister said to mark the two countries' decision to declare 2006 as India-China Friendship Year.

Singh said India and China "made significant progress in addressing some of the longstanding issues in our relationship without allowing them to define the agenda of our cooperative ties."

Jintao, in a message to President A P J Abdul Kalam, said "an ever-lasting China-India friendship not only serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples but also contributes to peace, stability and development in Asia and the entire world".

Pointing out that India and China are major developing countries with great influence in the world, Jintao said China is ready to work with India to continuously deepen the contents of our bilateral relations and push forward the China-India Strategic and Cooperative Partnership in an all-round and in-depth way".

He said the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership set up by China and India for peace and prosperity "symbolises that the bilateral relations have entered a new stage of development."

Kalam, in his message to Jintao, said "the footprints of India and China are increasingly visible and have made an impact on the global landscape in diverse areas."