Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated on Friday that India and China have made “positive strides” in their relations and have achieved a series of encouraging results at various levels following the breakthrough that ended the more than four-year-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Wang made these comments during his annual press conference, responding to a question about Beijing’s perspective on the trajectory of bilateral ties after the two countries resolved the prolonged deadlock.
“China-India relations have made positive strides over the past year,” Wang said, referring to the successful meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia. He emphasized that both leaders provided strategic guidance for enhancing the relationship during their meeting in October. Since then, both countries have diligently followed through on their shared understanding, strengthened exchanges, and cooperated practically at all levels, leading to a series of positive outcomes.
India and China completed their disengagement process late last year after agreeing on the withdrawal of troops from Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh, bringing an end to the prolonged standoff. Following the pact, PM Modi and President Xi held talks in Kazan on October 23, where they agreed to revive various dialogue mechanisms. Subsequently, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi conducted the 23rd Special Representatives (SR) dialogue in Beijing on December 18.
On January 26, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing and held discussions with his Chinese counterpart Sun Weidong within the framework of the ‘Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister’ mechanism.
Wang also touched upon India’s emphasis on maintaining peace at the borders as vital for advancing bilateral relations. In response, he reiterated China’s position that differences over border issues or other matters should not define or impede the overall relationship between the two countries.
“As two ancient civilizations, we possess the wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas while we work towards a fair and reasonable solution,” Wang stated. He further stressed that the boundary issue should not be allowed to overshadow the broader relationship between China and India. “We should never let specific differences dictate the overall picture of our ties,” he added.
According to Wang, both nations, as the largest neighbors, should be partners in each other’s success. “A cooperative partnership between the dragon and the elephant is the only correct path for both sides,” he said. “We should support each other, not undermine or undercut each other.”
Wang emphasized that both countries should collaborate rather than act with suspicion, which he believes is the only path that genuinely serves their mutual interests. He also highlighted the responsibility of both nations, as significant members of the Global South, to lead efforts against hegemonism and power politics, seemingly alluding to the United States.
“We must protect our legitimate rights and interests and uphold the basic norms governing international relations,” Wang concluded. “If China and India join forces, the prospects for greater democracy in international affairs and a stronger Global South will be greatly enhanced.”
Wang noted that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations and expressed China’s readiness to work with India to reflect on past experiences and push forward bilateral relations along a path of stable and sound development.
