India-China Ties: China Hails Modi’s Remarks

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

China welcomed PM Modi’s “dialogue over discord” remarks.
China likened cooperation with India to a ‘Dragon-Elephant Dance.’
Leaders emphasized implementing mutual consensus.
Improved ties seen after border tensions.
Both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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China on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent “dialogue over discord” remarks when discussing India-China ties. Beijing once again likened the cooperation between the two countries to a dance between the elephant and the dragon, saying that it remains the best path to shared success. India-China relations are crucial.

“Being partners in mutual success and achieving ‘Dragon-Elephant Dance’ cooperation is the only correct choice for China and India,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. She noted that China is willing to work with India to implement the consensus reached by their leaders, using the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to promote cooperation across various fields and levels. India-China dialogue is essential.

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“In recent months, both sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by their leaders, strengthened exchanges and practical cooperation at various levels, and achieved a series of positive outcomes,” she added. Focus is being placed on reducing the border dispute.

In his podcast interview with American podcaster and AI researcher Lex Fridman, PM Modi discussed India’s ties with China, saying that disagreements between neighbours were natural. He emphasised that dialogue was key to ensuring differences did not escalate into disputes. PM Modi believes India-China relations can improve.

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“In 2020, the incidents along the border created significant tensions between our countries. However, after my recent meeting with President Xi, we have seen a return to normalcy at the border. We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020,” PM Modi said. Peace is necessary on the India-China border.

Relations between India and China deteriorated following a military standoff in Galwan Valley in May 2020. On October 21 last year, India announced an agreement with China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a major breakthrough in resolving the standoff. The India-China border dispute must be resolved through negotiations.

In October, PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia. Both leaders endorsed the India-China agreement on LAC patrolling and disengagement and agreed to revive bilateral dialogue mechanisms. This was an effort to improve India-China relations.

Discussing his meeting with Xi, PM Modi said occasional disagreements were expected, even in close relationships. “Our relationship should remain just as strong in future and it should continue to grow. Differences are natural when two neighbouring countries exist. Not everything is perfect. Instead of discord, we emphasise dialogue because only through dialogue can we build a stable and cooperative relationship that serves the best interests of both nations,” he said. Dialogue will improve India-China relations.

The prime minister added that the return of trust, enthusiasm, and energy in bilateral ties would take time given the “five-year gap.”

“It is true that there have been ongoing border disputes between us. Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm, and energy will return. But of course, it will take some time, since there’s been a five-year gap,” he said.

PM Modi noted that there was no “real history of conflicts” between India and China. “Both nations have ancient cultures and civilisations. For centuries, India and China have learnt from each other and understood one another. Together they have always contributed to global good in some way. Old records suggest that at one point, India and China alone accounted for 50 per cent of GDP. That’s how massive India’s contribution was,” he said.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember