Friendship is the right path for China-India relations: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized that friendship is the correct path for improving relations between India and China. He made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

Both leaders pledged to advance their relationship following the easing of border tensions. The meeting comes amid efforts to build mutual trust and cooperation between the two Asian giants.

President Xi welcomed Modi to China and recalled their previous meeting at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, last October. He described India and China as ancient civilizations and highlighted their shared responsibility as the world’s two most populous countries and key members of the Global South.

“We must ensure the welfare of our people, unite developing countries, and promote human progress,” Xi said. “Building good neighborly and friendly relations, where we support each other’s success, is the right path. The dragon and the elephant moving forward together symbolize this approach.”

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India. Xi stressed the need to manage bilateral relations strategically and long-term, while promoting multilateralism, a multipolar world, and greater democracy in international institutions.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with China on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity. He welcomed the positive outcomes of their last meeting in Kazan and noted that the withdrawal of troops along the border has created a peaceful and stable environment.

Modi also announced that the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and direct flights between the two countries would resume soon. “The interests of 2.8 billion people are intertwined in our cooperation, which will contribute to the welfare of humanity at large,” he said.

The SCO summit in Tianjin is a two-day event attended by leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations. Xi Jinping is set to preside over the 25th heads of state meeting and deliver the keynote address at the SCO Plus session.

The SCO’s full members include China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, along with 16 observer and dialogue partner countries.