Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Indian President Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on Tuesday evening.

The two presidents spoke of their high value of bilateral traditional friendship and cultural exchanges, adding that they believed that China-India cooperation is of global significance.

Hu said he is convinced that Sino-Indian strategic and cooperative partnership will achieve greater progress in the future.

Kalam said Hu's visit is a historic milestone in bilateral relations which will continue to score achievements in various fields. He added India will spare no effort to inject vigor into Sino-Indian relations and work with China to push forward their partnership.

Before the meeting, the two presidents addressed youth representatives from the two countries at a gathering in celebration of the China-India friendship year.

Hu arrived in New Delhi Monday evening on a state visit as Kalam's guest, constituting the first visit in 10 years by a Chinese head of state to India.

India is the third leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam and Laos. He will later visit Pakistan.

Hu also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting between November 17 and 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2006)