Tianjin [China], August 31 (ANI): Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his opening remarks during delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, said it is vital for China and India to be friends and for the “Dragon and the Elephant” to unite.
Noting that the world is undergoing chaotic changes, Xi said it is the “right choice” for both China and India—two ancient civilizations, the two most populous countries, and key members of the Global South—to be friends and good neighbors who enable each other’s success, and to have “the dragon and the elephant dance together.”
Xi said it was a “great pleasure” to meet Prime Minister Modi again and welcome him to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tianjin Summit. In his opening remarks at the bilateral meeting, Xi recalled, “Last year, you and I had a successful meeting in Kazan, and the China-India relationship had resumed and started anew. The two sides have implicitly implemented the important consensus we agreed upon, and bilateral exchanges and cooperation have since made new progress.”
“The world today is swept by once-in-a-century transformations. The international situation is both fluid and chaotic. China and India are two ancient civilizations in the East, we are the world’s two most populous countries, and we are also important members of the Global South. We both shoulder the historical responsibility of improving the well-being of our peoples, promoting solidarity and rejuvenation among developing countries, and advancing the progress of human society. It is the right choice for both sides to be friends, maintain good-neighborly ties, act as partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant dance together,” Xi said.
He also noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties. “Both sides need to approach and handle our relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective, to realize sustained, sound, and steady development of our bilateral ties. We must also step up to our historic responsibility to uphold multilateralism, work together to build a multipolar world and promote more democracy in international relations, and make our true contributions to peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi in his opening remarks expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and recalled the “very productive discussions” held last year in Kazan, which he said “gave a positive direction” to relations between the two countries.
“After the disengagement at the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability is now in place. Our Special Representatives have also reached an agreement on border management,” Modi said. He further added that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed and direct flights are also being restored between the two nations.
“Our cooperation is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two countries. This will also pave the way for the welfare of all humanity. We are committed to advancing our relations based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” Prime Minister Modi stated.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed with a cultural program at his hotel, where artists performed Indian classical music and dance, symbolizing goodwill between the two countries.
The SCO comprises 10 members. In addition to India, they include Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. There are also several dialogue partners and observers. India has been a member of the SCO since 2017, after serving as an observer since 2005. (ANI)
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