Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao?in New Delhi?on Thursday pledged to promote exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) party, the ruling party of India.

When meeting with INC President Sonia Gandhi, Wen hailed the INC for its long-term contribution to the development of India's relations with China.

Wen recalled the historic visit of then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China in 1988, saying the visit had turned a new chapter of bilateral relations.

"History has proved that he was a man of vision," Wen said of Rajiv Gandhi.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India.

The Chinese premier, who started his current visit to India on Wednesday at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, said the China-India ties have seen remarkable progress in the first decade of the century.

Wen said he has reviewed with Singh the development course of bilateral ties, made clear the direction for future efforts, and established a new important cooperative mechanism.

The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the INC, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and boost the development of the China-India ties, as well as the inter-party relations, Wen said.

Sonia Gandhi, on her part, called the decision of Rajiv Gandhi to actively develop ties with China "correct."

The INC is satisfied with the development of India's relations with China in recent years, and will stick to the general orientation of the bilateral friendly cooperation, she said.

The INC will learn from the Chinese side and enhance friendly interactions with it, so as to work unremittingly to realize the consensus agreed on by both sides, Sonia Gandhi added.