Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday sent a message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to offer his condolences over the death of former Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, saying Rao was "a prominent statesman and outstanding leader" and also "a good friend of the Chinese people."

Rao, who served as prime minister from 1991 to 1996, died of cardiac arrest Thursday at the age of 83.

In the message, Wen said that he wants to convey his condolences to the family of Rao and to the people of India as well.

Rao visited China in 1993 as prime minister and signed the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity Along the Line of Actual Control in the China-India Border Areas.

Rao made outstanding contributions to the improvement of Sino-Indian relations, the Chinese premier said.

The government and the people of China cherish the traditional friendship with India and look forward to promoting bilateral partnership of constructive cooperation, Wen said.

Source: Xinhua