New Delhi: The strengthening ties between India and China were highlighted as President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged messages with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri further underscored the occasion by attending a commemorative event hosted by Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong. Speaking at the event, Misri stressed that these celebrations would be even more meaningful if the “promising beginnings” in bilateral relations resulted in concrete benefits for the people of both nations.
Acknowledging the complexities ahead, Misri stated that rebuilding ties based on mutual respect, sensitivity, and shared interests would be a challenging journey, but India was ready to undertake it. “We are looking at the next steps to resume practical cooperation between our two countries, and amongst the first of these steps is the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year,” he said.
According to a Chinese readout, Modi conveyed to Li that strengthening bilateral relations would not only foster global stability and prosperity but also contribute to the emergence of a multipolar world.
In his message to President Murmu, Xi reaffirmed that both India and China are pivotal members of the Global South and are at a crucial juncture in their modernization efforts. He reiterated China’s belief that deeper engagement between the two nations would serve their fundamental interests. The Chinese statement further described the 75th anniversary as an opportunity to promote “strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border regions, and advance bilateral relations on a stable and constructive trajectory.”
Relations between the two nations have seen significant improvement since the October 2024 agreement to finalize troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, followed by the first Modi-Xi bilateral meeting in five years, which took place in Kazan, Russia, on October 23. Notably, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov was also present at the commemorative event hosted by the Chinese Embassy.
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Modi recently remarked in a podcast that normalcy had been restored in border areas following his discussions with Xi and expressed optimism that mutual trust would gradually be rebuilt.
Misri reinforced this sentiment, highlighting that India and China had successfully resolved several border issues and reiterating that peace and stability along the border remain critical for overall bilateral relations.
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“It is on the basis of this fundamental understanding, which was shared in the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, that both countries are now working together to chart a roadmap for our bilateral relations to return to a stable, predictable, and amicable path,” said Misri.
In an interview with the Global Times on Tuesday, the Chinese ambassador stated that China was willing to import more goods from India to strengthen trade relations but also expected India to foster a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese companies.
