Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday in New Delhi that it is an important part of India's foreign policy to develop good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations with China.

Singh made the remarks when he met with Dai Bingguo, special representative of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who arrived here Friday for the seventh round of Indian-Chinese border talks.

During the meeting, Singh also said developing friendship between India and China will make great contribution to peace and prosperity not only in the two countries but also in Asia and the world.

He said 2006 is the year of India-China friendship and his country, within the framework of India-China strategic partnership, is willing to push forward its cooperation with China in all respects to boost bilateral ties to a new level.

Affirming the progress of India-China border talks, the Indian Prime Minister said both sides should speed up their work for the final settlement of the border issue.

Dai, who is Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, said China will work for developing its strategic partnership with India and the Chinese side will make positive efforts together with the Indian side for early settlement of the border issue.

The seventh round of border talks started here Saturday between Dai and Indian Special Representative M.K. Narayana, who is India's national security advisor. It will be moved to Kerala, India Sunday.

In 2003, China and India decided to appoint special representatives on either side for the talks of settling their boundary problem.

Source: Xinhua