As India, China and Myanmar celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Panchsheel Treaty, Presidents of the three countries greeted each other while reaffirming their commitment on the five principles of peaceful coexistence.
President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, saying the five principles serve as guiding light for the two countries to deal with their relations with each other as well as other countries.
Xi extended his wishes to Mukherjee and Myanmar President U Thein Sein, saying the five principles of peaceful coexistence initiated by the three countries 60 years ago is a major creation in the history of international relations in the 20th century, state-run Xinhua new agency said.
Mukherjee said the principles have been a component in all major bilateral treaties and joint statements between India and China. They also serve as guiding principles for the two sides to deal with relations between them as well as their ties with other countries in Asia and even the whole world.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the peace principles, India and China have decided to set the year 2014 as "India-China Friendship and Exchange Year," in which the two countries will hold a series of events, Mukherjee was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
He said the planned events will deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two neighbours and push forward the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries.
President Sein said the five principles embody the will of Asian nations and other developing countries to realise independence as well as the purposes and tenets of the UN Charter, conform to the historical tide of peace and development, and meet the common interests of the people of the world.
He hoped that Myanmar, China and India will deepen their mutual understanding and cooperation through the commemoration and continue to firmly adhere to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, thus working together on peace, stability and prosperity of their region and the entire world.
In his message, Chinese President Xi said the five principles, which stand for mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, have served as the cornerstone of China's independent foreign policy of peace during the past six decades.
He said the principles have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and have been widely accepted and observed by the international community.
