Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his congratulatory message to President Droupadi Murmu on the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations, called for closer ties between the two countries. He described the relationship as a ‘cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant,’ which would serve the fundamental interests of both nations and their peoples
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his message, Xi said that both nations should view and handle bilateral ties from a “strategic and long-term perspective” and seek ways for neighboring major countries to coexist peacefully, building mutual trust, mutual benefit, and common development.
Terming China and India “ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South,” Xi noted that both countries are at a critical stage in their respective modernization drives.
A statement issued by the Chinese Ambassador in India, Xu Feihong, stated: “President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Droupadi Murmu on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. President Xi pointed out that China and India are both ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South. Both countries are at a critical stage in their respective modernization drives.”
“The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for both sides to become partners for mutual success and realize a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. Both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, seeking ways for neighboring major countries to coexist peacefully, fostering mutual trust, mutual benefit, and common development. Together, they can push forward world multipolarization and democracy in international relations,” the statement added.
According to the statement, Xi expressed his readiness to work with President Murmu, using the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to promote strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination on major international affairs, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border regions. Xi also emphasized the importance of advancing China-India relations along a path of sound and stable development.
In her message to her Chinese counterpart, President Murmu said that “stable, predictable, and amicable” bilateral relations will bring significant benefits to both nations and the world.
Xu Feihong said, “President Xi expressed his readiness to work with President Murmu, taking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to promote strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination on major international affairs, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border regions. This will advance China-India relations along a path of sound and stable development, contributing to world peace and prosperity.”
“President Murmu said that India and China are two large neighbors, representing a third of humanity. Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations will bring major benefits to both nations, as well as to the world. Let us use the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations to work toward the healthy and stable development of India-China bilateral relations,” the Chinese envoy said.
In a recent interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, PM Modi emphasized that normalcy is returning to the border, and highlighted the deep-rooted cultural ties between the two nations. He expressed optimism about India’s relationship with China, emphasizing the importance of learning from and understanding one another. Despite ongoing border disputes, PM Modi acknowledged the ancient cultural and civilizational ties between the two nations, noting that there is no real history of conflict between them.
The two countries have been locked in a tense border standoff since the 2020 Galwan clashes, which severely strained diplomatic relations. Earlier in March, India and China discussed resuming dialogue mechanisms between the two nations in a “step-by-step” manner, focusing on “each other’s priority areas of interest and concern,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
During a meeting in Beijing between Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides acknowledged the progress made in bilateral relations following the October 2024 meeting between PM Modi and President Xi in Kazan.
(ANI)