Tianjin/New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping said that for China and India achieving a Dragon-Elephant Dance is the right choice, being friendly neighbours and mutually supportive partners.
A Chinese readout of the talks between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, held today on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, said that President Xi noted that their successful meeting in Kazan last year marked a restart for China-India relations, with new progress in exchanges and cooperation.
As two ancient Eastern civilizations, the world’s most populous countries, and key members of the Global South, China and India bear significant responsibilities for benefiting their peoples, promoting the unity and revitalization of developing countries, and advancing human progress.
Xi emphasized that this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties.
Both sides should view and handle their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, using the Tianjin meeting to further elevate ties and promote sustained, healthy, and stable development, he said and put forth certain proposals.
First, strategic communication and mutual trust should be strengthened. As long as both sides correctly view each other as partners rather than adversaries and as opportunities rather than threats, China-India relations can remain stable and far-reaching.
Second, exchanges and cooperation should be expanded for mutual benefit. As both nations are at critical stages of development and revitalization, they should focus on development as the greatest common denominator, supporting and promoting each other’s success.
Third, mutual concerns should be addressed to maintain harmonious coexistence.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, advocated by the older generation of leaders over 70 years ago, must be cherished and upheld.
Both sides should work together to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, ensuring that border issues do not define the overall relationship.
Fourth, multilateral collaboration should be strengthened to safeguard common interests. Both countries should demonstrate historical responsibility, uphold multilateralism, enhance coordination on major international and regional issues, defend international fairness and justice, and promote a multipolar world and democratized international relations, contributing to peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond.
“Prime Minister Modi stated that their Kazan meeting provided direction for India-China relations, bringing ties back to a positive track, maintaining peace and stability along the border, and preparing to resume direct flights.
“These achievements benefit not only the peoples of India and China but also the world. India and China are partners, not adversaries, with far more consensus than differences.
“India is willing to view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term perspective. Amid high global economic uncertainty, strengthened cooperation between India and China, as major global economies, is crucial.
“India is ready to work with China to seek a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the border issue. Both nations adhere to strategic autonomy and independent diplomacy, ensuring their relations are not influenced by third parties.
“Their cooperation will make the 21st century a true Asian century, enhancing multilateralism in international affairs. Modi congratulated China on its successful chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and wished the Tianjin Summit full success,” it said.
