Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of India-China bilateral relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory message to President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the two countries should “realise a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant”, which completely serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, while Ms. Murmu in her message said that “stable, predictable and amicable” bilateral relations will bring major benefits to both nations and the world.
Later in the day, speaking at a commemorative event organised by the Chinese Embassy, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said it is “our wish and desire” to use this occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to “rebuild” India-China relations.
Chinese envoy Xu Feihong said in his speech that Mr. Xi emphasised that both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a “strategic and long-term perspective, and seek ways for neighbouring major countries to get along in peaceful coexistence, mutual trust and mutual benefit as well as common development.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri speaking at the commemoration event organised by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations. | Photo Credit: Dinakar Peri
Mr. Misri, who has earlier served as India’s envoy in Beijing, said the bilateral relationship is an important one as two large neighbours in an important part of the world, and the stable relationship between the two countries would contribute to humanity as a whole. In this regard, he said the durable basis for rebuilding the ties is the three-point pillar of “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests”.
“The path forward maybe a difficult one, but it is one that we are prepared to work. And it is on the basis of these steps that we have already taken in the last five months that we have seen promising beginnings, which we should turn into tangible benefit for the people of our two countries,” he said, adding: “This will make today’s celebration, even more meaningful for the future.”
Mr. Xi termed India and China “ancient civilisations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South”, and noted that both countries are at a critical stage in their respective modernisation drive.
According to the envoy, Mr. Xi expressed his readiness to work with Ms. Murmu taking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, to promote strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and “coordination on major international affairs, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in China-India border regions”.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri (L) and Chinese Envoy Xu Feihong (R) cut a cake at the commemoration event organised by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations. | Photo Credit: Dinakar Peri
Tracing the trajectory of the relations since the understanding on the disengagement and resumption of patrolling in Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh as part of efforts to end the standoff, the Foreign Secretary noted that over the past five months the two foreign ministers met twice, Special Representatives on border issues met in Beijing after a gap of nearly five years, Defence ministers also met, and he also had the opportunity of visiting Beijing earlier this year and held very productive meetings.
As a result of these encouraging engagements, he said they are looking at taking several steps to resume practical cooperation between our countries and among them are steps to resume practical corporation is the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra this year, discussing resumption of cooperation on rivers, direct air services among others.
Referring to the commemorative celebration that he was attending, Mr. Misri added: “The objective of all of these first of all is to enhance people-to-people ties and restore mutual trust and confidence amongst the public.”
On this aspect, Mr. XI said that people-to-people exchanges are increasing and in the first quarter of this year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-Generals in India have issued over 70,000 visas to Indian citizens, with a year-on-year increase of approximately 15%. “These figures fully demonstrate the strong motivation for exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.”
Published - April 01, 2025 04:26 pm IST
