BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party in the general elections.

In a congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that China and India are important neighbors to each other and are the world's two largest developing countries and emerging economies.

The development of China-India relations is gaining strong momentum in recent years thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, said the Chinese president, adding that the two countries maintain sound coordination and cooperation on such major issues as promoting world multipolarization and economic globalization, and safeguarding multilateralism.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-India relations, and is willing to work with Modi to ensure bilateral ties advance in the right direction, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and continuously uplift the closer development partnership between the two countries.