Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the augmentation of India-China relations is of utmost importance to promote global peace and a multipolar world.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had similar views as both countries' heads exchanged messages on Tuesday, with the occasion celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In his message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Xi called for a "dragon-elephant tango" to work in the interest of the core interests of the two countries, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Modi, and Foreign Ministers S. Jaishankar and Wang Yi, along with Xi and Murmu, also shared congratulatory messages on the occasion, as per official Chinese news.
Murmu, in her message, conveyed that a stable, predictable, and amicable India-China relationship would be good for both countries and helpful in the cause of world harmony. Modi, in his message to Li, endorsed this view by saying that robust India-China relations would not only bring about peace and prosperity but also further the idea of a multipolar world. He also observed that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations is a chance to initiate a period of steady and positive engagement between the two nations.
Referring to the historic contribution of both civilizations, Modi said that India and China have jointly contributed significantly to humanity's history and are now jointly responsible for ensuring peace and development. According to Xinhua, Xi emphasized that both nations must tackle bilateral relations with a long-term vision and strategic approach. Xi urged the two nations to peacefully coexist, foster mutual trust, and cooperate towards common development while pursuing joint advocacy of multipolarity in the world and international democratization together.
Xi, in his message to Murmu, reiterated his vision of mutual collaboration, stressing the need for the "dragon-elephant tango" to develop the fundamental interests of the two countries. The exchange of messages follows as India and China continue attempts to restore ties after a four-year diplomatic chill triggered by the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh.
Xi also conceded that both India and China, as ancient civilizations and major forces in the Global South, are presently at critical junctures of modernization. He continued to assert that establishing a partnership of common prosperity is the correct way forward and in line with the people's fundamental interests. He also stated that he is willing to work with Murmu to deepen strategic trust, promote cooperation in all fields, and enhance coordination on global affairs.
Xi reaffirmed his commitment to preserving peace and stability on the border and ensuring that the bilateral relationship proceeds in a positive and stable manner, thus making a contribution to world peace and economic prosperity. Murmu, in her message, stressed the importance of India and China as neighbours whose combined population is one-third of the world's population. She reiterated that a stable and friendly relationship between them would be beneficial for both and for the world.
Li, in his letter to Modi, stressed China's willingness to cooperate with India in marking the 75th anniversary by building on strategic trust, increasing cooperation, resolving boundary issues, and making steady progress in relations to the common good of both countries.
Also, Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and S. Jaishankar had messages. Jaishankar emphasized that India and China have a very important responsibility, not only for their populations but also for helping shape the emerging global order. He added that both countries are increasingly contributing to advancing multipolarity and remained optimistic about creating good momentum in bilateral relations across a range of fields.
Wang, who is also a ranking member of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, recalled India as one of the first countries to forge diplomatic relations with China. He recognized that even though there were several issues, the two countries have managed to maintain an overall stable relationship through their adherence to good-neighborly relations.
Referring to the meeting between Modi and Xi in Kazan last October, Wang remarked that the discussions provided strategic direction for improving bilateral relations. He affirmed China’s readiness to collaborate with India in implementing their leaders' consensus, reinforcing exchanges, deepening mutual trust, and managing differences to ensure a stable and healthy trajectory for India-China relations.
In a media conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said history has proven to the world that it is better for India and China to be partners in good fortune. He reaffirmed that a cooperative posture, represented by the "dragon-elephant tango," is in harmony with the shared fundamental interests of both countries.
Guo also mentioned the recent advancements in India-China interaction, and that both sides are putting into practice important understandings from meetings of their leaders and deepening multi-level contacts and practical cooperation. He said that more information on events arranged for the celebrations of the 75th anniversary would be communicated in due time.
Since the Modi-Xi meeting last year, there have been a number of high-level interactions, including talks between the Special Representatives on boundary issues. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri subsequently went to Beijing to pursue normalization after the four-year diplomatic standoff. India and China conducted another round of diplomatic talks on March 25 in Beijing, which included discussions on border management and the revival of cross-border interactions, including cooperation on trans-border rivers and the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The next day, Indian Joint Secretary East Asia Gourangalal Das held talks with Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, in Beijing. They discussed how to improve relations and decided to enhance people-to-people contacts, including resuming direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra again this year.
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