On May 12, 2003, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had a phone conversation with Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha. Li said China has always been sticking to the good-neighborly foreign policy of treating its neighbors as friends and partners and attaches great importance to the strengthening of friendly and cooperative relationship with India. Sinha expressed the willingness of Indian government to deepen and further push forward the development of the friendly and cooperative relationship between India and China.

Li thanked the India side for its precious support and help to China's all-out fight against SARS. Sinha said the Indian side was very pleased to see that China has made great headway in the fight against SARS. The Indian government and Indian people are willing to contribute any necessary support and help to China, and fully confident of Chinese people’s final victory over SARS.

Sinha briefed Li on the current situation in South Asia, and said India stood for a peaceful settlement of its disputes with Pakistan through dialogues and negotiations. Li said that China welcomes and supports the common efforts made by India and Pakistan to ease the situation in South Asia. As a friend and neighbor of both India and Pakistan, China hopes India-Pakistan relationship will move to further relaxation.