Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday described India and China as “good neighbours, friends and partners” while greeting President Droupadi Murmu on India’s 77th Republic Day, saying closer cooperation and the “dragon and elephant dancing together” was the right choice for both countries as bilateral ties continue to improve after years of strain.
In his message, Xi said India-China relations had shown steady improvement and development, aligning with the fundamental interests of both nations and their peoples, and were significant for maintaining and promoting global peace and prosperity.
Xi said China believed that being “good neighbours, friends and partners who help each other succeed, and achieving the ‘dragon and the elephant dancing together,’ is the right choice for both China and India”.
He added that both sides should adhere to the consensus that China and India are “partners for cooperation and opportunities for development”, strengthen strategic communication, expand exchanges and cooperation, address each other’s concerns, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xinhua reported.
Also read: China probes top General Zhang Youxia over nuclear secrets leak
Relations between the two Asian neighbours had remained frozen since the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh but began showing signs of improvement after two meetings between Modi and Xi.
The two leaders first met in Kazan in 2024, followed by another interaction in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in August last year.
During their August meeting, Modi and Xi agreed to deepen bilateral engagement to address pressing challenges and work towards a “fair” resolution of the long-standing border issue.
In recent months, India and China have initiated several measures aimed at normalising relations after ending the over four-year military face-off along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
In July, India resumed granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals, which had been suspended after the Ladakh standoff began in May 2020.
The two sides have also agreed on a range of people-centric steps, including resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, restarting direct flights, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and easing visa facilitation. Direct flights between India and China resumed in October.
Follow us
