Suggesting Sino-India relations have implications for the world at large, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] Monday pitched for "greater substance and further depth" in bilateral ties.

In a New Year messsage to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Dr Singh said the fast developing ties between India and China was an important determinant for the peace and security as well as development and prosperity of Asia and the world.

"We are confident that in the New Year, we will be able to continue, with greater determination, to impart further depth and substance to our rapidly growing ties, and add an important new chapter to India-China friendship," the prime
minister said to mark the two countries' decision to declare 2006 as India-China Friendship Year.

Dr Singh said India and China "made significant progress in addressing some of the longstanding issues in our relationship without allowing them to define the agenda of our cooperative ties".

"Indeed, our fast developing relationship today transcends the bilateral dimension and is an important determinant for the peace and security as well as development and prosperity, of Asia and the world," Dr Singh said adding, "it is important that we continue adding greater substance to our bilateral exchanges and international cooperation."

During the visit of Wen to India, it was decided by both sides to mark 2006 as India-China Friendship Year.