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Amid rising tensions between China and the United States - particularly after the US doubled tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 per cent - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on New Delhi and Beijing to work together and "take the lead in opposing hegemonism and power politics".

 

Speaking after a National People's Congress meet, Wang said "making the dragon and elephant dance is the only right choice".

 

“China-India relations have made positive strides over the past year” after the successful meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Kazan in Russia, Wang said.

Both Xi and Modi provided strategic guidance for the improvement of ties at the Kazan meeting, Wang said. 

 

India and China completed the disengagement process late last year after firming up a pact for the withdrawal of troops from Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh, ending over four years of freeze in ties.

 

After the finalisation of the pact, Modi and Xi held talks in Kazan on October 23. In the meeting, the two sides decided to revive various dialogue mechanisms.

 

In an apparent reference to India stressing the importance of peace at borders for the development of relations, Wang reiterated China's stand that the differences over the boundary or on other issues should not affect the overall bilateral ties.

 

“As two ancient civilisations, we have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution” to the boundary issue, said Wang, who is also a member of the powerful political bureau of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

 

“We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question or specific differences to affect the overall picture of our bilateral ties," he said.

 

China believes that as the largest neighbours, both countries should be partners in each other’s success.

 

“A cooperative partnership between the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides,” he said.

 

“There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undermine each other or undercut each other,” he said, adding that both the countries “should work with each other rather than guard against each other”.

 

“This is the only path that truly serves the fundamental interests of the two countries," Wang said.

 

Also read: Ukraine peace talks to resume next week: Zelensky

 

“As important members of the Global South, we have the responsibility to take the lead in opposing hegemonism and power politics” he said in apparent reference to the United States.

 

“We must not only safeguard legitimate rights and interests of our countries but also uphold the basic norms governing international relations,” he said.

 

"If China and India join hands, the prospect of greater democracy in international affairs and the stronger Global South will improve greatly," he said.  Wang said 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations.

 

“China stands ready to work with India to sum up past experience and forge a fast forward and advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development," he said.