As tensions escalate between China and the United States due to US President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing is now advocating for stronger cooperation with India to “oppose hegemonism and power politics” while upholding global norms.
During a press conference on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary session in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for India and China to work together. “China and India should be partners that contribute to each other’s success. A cooperative pas de deux (dance involving two people) of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides,” he stated.
“To support each other rather than undercut each other, work with each other rather than guard against each other — this is the path that truly serves the fundamental interests of both China and India and their peoples. When China and India join hands, the prospects for greater democracy in international relations and a stronger Global South will improve greatly,” he added.
Wang stressed that the only way forward for both nations is a cooperative partnership, which aligns with their fundamental interests and helps protect global norms. “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 affirmed.
Wang Highlights ‘Positive Strides’ in India-China Relations
Wang also noted that India-China relations have made “positive strides” and achieved significant progress following a successful meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year. The discussions aimed at resolving the four-year-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
According to Wang, the leaders of both nations provided strategic direction to enhance bilateral ties during their meeting in Kazan in October 2023. He pointed out that both sides acted upon their leaders’ shared vision by “strengthening exchanges and practical cooperation at all levels.”
Following extensive negotiations, India and China completed the disengagement process by finalizing a withdrawal agreement for troops stationed at Depsang and Demchok, the last two contentious areas in eastern Ladakh. Two days after this agreement was reached, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi held discussions in Kazan on October 23. During this meeting, both leaders agreed to revive multiple dialogue mechanisms to strengthen diplomatic and strategic communication.
Boundary Issues Should Not Define India-China Ties
Additionally, Wang emphasized that as each other’s largest neighbors, India and China share a common goal of advancing their development and revitalization. He insisted that their bilateral relationship should not be overshadowed by border disputes.
“As two ancient civilizations, we have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution. We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question, or let specific differences affect the overall picture of our bilateral ties,” he remarked.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. Earlier, Beijing had conveyed its willingness to collaborate with New Delhi to commemorate this milestone and inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties.
Last month, Wang met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. During their discussion, he underscored that restoring mutual trust and achieving win-win cooperation align with the aspirations of both nations.
Jaishankar, in turn, acknowledged the progress made in improving bilateral relations and expressed India’s willingness to strengthen ties. “India values the hard-won progress in improving bilateral relations and is willing to work with China to accelerate the restoration of cooperative mechanisms, enhance cultural exchanges, facilitate people-to-people ties, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the border regions,” he stated.
Jaishankar’s remarks followed Trump’s offer to mediate the longstanding border issue between India and China during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the White House earlier that month. However, India reiterated that such matters should be “resolved bilaterally.”