New Delhi: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his assumption of office for the second term and conveyed their interest to push forward bilateral strategic ties.
Sarkozy invited Singh to Paris to be the Chief Guest of French National Day on July 14.
In his congratulatory message to Singh, Wen said "I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese people and in my own name, to Your Excellency warm congratulations and best wishes."
Noting that China-India strategic and cooperative partnership had achieved "all-around rapid progress and reached unprecedented heights" over the last five years, Wen said Singh had made significant contributions towards that direction for which "I would like to express my highest appreciation".
The Chinese Premier underlined that his government attaches great importance to the China-India relations. "I am ready to work closely with Your Excellency to push forward the long-term stable development of China-India Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity," he said.
Wen wished Singh good luck in every endeavour.