Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday extended a symbolic call for renewed partnership between India and China, urging both nations to embrace a “dragon-elephant tango” as they mark 75 years of diplomatic ties. The metaphor signifies cooperation between the two powerful Asian neighbours, represented by their national symbols.
Xi’s remarks carry added weight amid ongoing efforts to normalise relations that were severely strained by the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh. In a message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Xi said that India and China must handle bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term vision, ensuring peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, and shared development.
A Message Of Strategic Cooperation
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi emphasised the need to strengthen ties through mutual achievement. “The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement and realise the ‘dragon-elephant tango’,” Xi said, adding that this partnership serves the interests of both countries and their citizens.
He further expressed readiness to deepen exchanges, enhance coordination in global affairs, and maintain stability along the border, especially in light of the countries’ shared roles as key Global South nations.
President Droupadi Murmu, in response, underscored the need for a “stable, predictable and friendly” relationship, which she said would not only benefit both countries but also the wider world. The Indian President also called for taking the anniversary as an opportunity to advance healthy bilateral ties.
Modi, Li Also Exchange Greetings
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged messages to commemorate the occasion, further reflecting a shared willingness to re-engage diplomatically.
Border De-escalation On Track
Amid this diplomatic warmth, efforts to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ladakh continue. In February, China confirmed that both sides were jointly implementing disengagement agreements, following breakthroughs at the Demchok and Depsang friction points in October 2023.
This process gained momentum after the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, marking their first encounter in five years. That dialogue was followed by high-level meetings, including the 23rd Special Representative Dialogue in Beijing between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met Wang on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg this February, where they discussed global challenges and multilateral cooperation.
Ministry of External Affairs officials confirmed that the disengagement and de-escalation efforts along the Line of Actual Control are progressing as planned.
