China and India marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on April 1, with President Xi Jinping exchanging congratulatory messages with Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
Xi Jinping noted that China and India, both ancient civilisations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, are both at a critical stage of their respective modernisation efforts. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for the two countries to be partners of mutual achievement and realise the “Dragon-Elephant Tango”, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. Both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, seek a way for neighbouring major countries to get along with each other, which features peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, and jointly promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.
Droupadi Murmu said that India and China are two neighbouring major countries that are home to one-third of the world’s population. A stable, predictable and friendly bilateral relationship will benefit both countries and the world. She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations.
On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Li Qiang said that China is ready to work with India to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, steer bilateral relations forward along a sound and stable track, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Narendra Modi said that India and China, as two ancient civilisations, have played an important role in shaping the course of human history, and now shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting peace and development. The development of India-China relations is not only conducive to the prosperity and stability of the world but also contributes to the realisation of a multipolar world.
China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong hosted a major reception to celebrate the anniversary that day.
In his speech, Ambassador Xu said: “Looking back at the extraordinary journey of China-India relations, there are four inspirations embedded therein that are particularly worth drawing upon.
“First, strategic guidance of our leaders serves as the ‘anchor’ for China-India relations. Over the past 75 years, the leaders of the two countries have consistently steered the relationship at critical historical junctures. In 1950, Chairman Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made the historic decision of establishing diplomatic ties, and India became the first non-socialist country to have diplomatic relations with China. In 1988, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China, and the two sides agreed to ‘look forward’, initiating the normalisation process of bilateral relations. Since 2013, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out ‘hometown diplomacy’ and two informal meetings, which propelled the bilateral relations into a period of rapid development. Last October, the leaders of our two countries met in Kazan, and opened a new chapter for China-India relations.
“Second, friendly exchanges and cooperation form the ‘foundational fabric’ of China-India relations. Our two peoples have sympathised with and supported each other in our respective struggle for national independence and liberation. Rabindranath Tagore and Dr. Kotnis have become timeless emblems of China-India friendship.
“Third, bridging differences through dialogue stands as the ‘one and only key’ of China-India relations. As close neighbours, our peoples may sometimes have differences. As Prime Minister Modi said, when two neighbouring countries exist, occasional disagreements are bound to happen. Even within a family, not everything is always perfect. But our focus is to ensure that these differences don’t turn into disputes. As two ancient civilisations, China and India both have the tradition and characteristics of cherishing peace and goodwill, as well as the wisdom and capacity to resolve differences through dialogue.
“Fourth, working for the future of the world is the ‘important mission’ of China-India relations. President Xi Jinping once said, if China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; and if we join hands, the whole world will pay attention. Historically, the two great civilisations of China and India have enriched each other, and the total economic volume of the two countries has long accounted for half of global GDP, making momentous contributions to human progress. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and India jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, attended the Bandung Conference together, and promoted the independence and unity of Asian and African countries and the peaceful development of the world.”
Towards the conclusion of his speech, Xu Feihong noted: “As important members of the Global South, China and India have the responsibility to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, and inject stability into a world fraught with uncertainties. As the rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation this year, China is willing to work with all parties including India to jointly hold a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes, and lead the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development featuring stronger solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness.
“Mahatma Gandhi once said, I long for the day when a free India and free China will cooperate together in friendship and brotherhood for their own good and for the good of Asia and the world. Every time I think of these words, I feel deeply moved by his profound aspirations for China-India friendship and his enduring guidance for future generations.”
In an interview with Ambassador Xu, published on March 31, the Chinese newspaper Global Times reported:
“Since assuming office as the 17th Chinese Ambassador to India in May 2024, Xu has traveled across the country and engaged with people from all walks of life. Xu said his travels let him feel the energy of India’s rapid development and its rich, diverse culture. ‘China and India share close historical ties, similar values, and a strong foundation of friendship built on shared goals of prosperity,’ he said.
“‘China and India have the world’s largest youth populations, and the exchanges and interactions between the young people of our two countries are particularly noteworthy’, Xu said, noting that the Chinese Embassy has organised a series of events and through these activities, they had many face-to-face exchanges with young Indian friends. ‘From their energy, we see the future of our nations; from their curiosity and aspiration for China, we are more confident about China-India friendship.’”
The following articles were originally published on the websites of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and by Global Times.
Xi Jinping Exchanges Congratulatory Messages with Indian President Droupadi Murmu on the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-India Diplomatic Relations
April 1 (MFA) — On April 1, 2025, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian President Droupadi Murmu to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Xi Jinping noted that China and India, both ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, are both at a critical stage of their respective modernization efforts. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for the two countries to be partners of mutual achievement and realize the “Dragon-Elephant Tango”, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. Both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, seek a way for neighboring major countries to get along with each other, which features peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, and jointly promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that he is ready to work with President Droupadi Murmu to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border area, steer China-India relations forward along a sound and steady track, and contribute to world peace and prosperity.
Droupadi Murmu said that India and China are two neighboring major countries that are home to one-third of the world’s population. A stable, predictable and friendly bilateral relationship will benefit both countries and the world. She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations.
On the same day, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Li Qiang said that China is ready to work with India to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, steer bilateral relations forward along a sound and stable track, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Narendra Modi said that India and China, as two ancient civilizations, have played an important role in shaping the course of human history, and now shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting peace and development. The development of India-China relations is not only conducive to the prosperity and stability of the world, but also contributes to the realization of a multipolar world. The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China will usher the bilateral relations into a stage of sound and stable development.
Riding the East Wind, Setting Sail Anew and Opening a New Chapter in China-India Relations ——Remarks by Ambassador Xu Feihong on the Reception of Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-India Diplomatic Relations
April 2 (Chinese Embassy in India) —
Honorable Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Good evening and Namaste!
It is a great pleasure to join all friends here today in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in India, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests and express heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life who have long cared for and supported the development of China-India relations.
Today, the leaders of China and India exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and seek ways for neighboring major countries to get along in peaceful coexistence, mutual trust and mutual benefit as well as common development. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the meeting between the two leaders in Kazan was instrumental in laying out a roadmap for our bilateral relations returning to a stable, predictable and amicable path. Progress in our bilateral relations will contribute not only to global stability and prosperity but also to the emergence of a multi-polar world.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Over the past 75 years, despite weathering ups and downs, China-India relations have always surged forward like the Yangtze and the Ganges. One learns from the past in order to understand the future, and follows the right path to go far. Looking back at the extraordinary journey of China-India relations, there are four inspirations embedded therein that are particularly worth drawing upon.
First, strategic guidance of our leaders serves as the ‘anchor’ for China-India relations. Over the past 75 years, the leaders of the two countries have consistently steered the relationship at critical historical junctures. In 1950, Chairman Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made the historic decision of establishing diplomatic ties, and India became the first non-socialist country to have diplomatic relations with China. In 1988, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China, and the two sides agreed to “look forward”, initiating the normalization process of bilateral relations. Since 2013, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out “hometown diplomacy” and two informal meetings, which propelled the bilateral relations into a period of rapid development. Last October, the leaders of our two countries met in Kazan, and opened a new chapter for China-India relations.
Second, friendly exchanges and cooperation form the ‘foundational fabric’ of China-India relations. Looking back through history, our two civilizations have flourished like twin lotuses, interconnected and mutually illuminating. The westward journey of Master Xuanzang seeking Buddhist scriptures and the eastward voyage of Bodhidharma spreading Zen teachings have become widely-circulated stories of exchanges between China and India. Our two peoples have sympathized with and supported each other in our respective struggle for national independence and liberation. Rabindranath Tagore and Dr. Kotnis have become timeless emblems of China-India friendship. Since the turn of the century, China and India have forged a strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. During President Xi Jinping’s state visit to India in 2014, the two sides decided to build a closer developmental partnership. Under these important frameworks, the two countries have established nearly 50 dialogue mechanisms at all levels and in various fields. The bilateral trade volume has jumped from less than 3 billion US Dollars in 2000 to 138.5 billion US Dollars in 2024. Exchanges in culture, education, tourism and other fields has expanded continuously.
Third, bridging differences through dialogue stands as the ‘one and only key’ of China-India relations. As close neighbors, our peoples may sometimes have differences. As Prime Minister Modi said, when two neighboring countries exist, occasional disagreements are bound to happen. Even within a family, not everything is always perfect. But our focus is to ensure that these differences don’t turn into disputes. As two ancient civilizations, China and India both have the tradition and characteristics of cherishing peace and goodwill, as well as the wisdom and capacity to resolve differences through dialogue. Faced with the boundary question left over from history, the two sides have established communication channels such as the Special Representative Mechanism on the China-India Boundary Question, and strive to seek a proper solution. At the end of last year, the two sides pushed the border situation back to tranquility through intensive dialogue, marking the latest testament to China and India’s commitment to resolving differences through consultation.
Fourth, working for the future of the world is the “important mission” of China-India relations. President Xi Jinping once said, if China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; and if we join hands, the whole world will pay attention. Historically, the two great civilizations of China and India have enriched each other, and the total economic volume of the two countries has long accounted for half of global GDP, making momentous contributions to human progress. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and India jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, attended the Bandung Conference together, and promoted the independence and unity of Asian and African countries and the peaceful development of the world. At present, as vital members of multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS, SCO and G20, China and India should take the common responsibilities of safeguarding the rights and interests of developing countries, maintaining international fairness and justice, and upholding multilateralism.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
At present, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the world, geopolitical conflicts keep escalating, and the mankind is facing unprecedented challenges. As the only two major developing countries and representatives of emerging economies with a population of over 1 billion, China-India relations have become one of the most crucial bilateral relations in the world. The sound and stable development of bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of the two people, meets the common aspiration of regional countries, and is conducive to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Recently, China and India have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. The two foreign ministers have met for several times on multilateral occasions. The 23rd Special Representatives’ meeting on China-India Boundary Question and the Vice Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue have been held successively. The two sides maintain communications on issues of mutual concern, such as the resumption of direct flights, visa facilitation, pilgrimage to the sacred mountain and lake of Xizang, and resident journalists, striving to achieve results as soon as possible. The bilateral economic and trade cooperation maintains good momentum. In the first two months of this year, the bilateral trade volume reached 23.6 billion US Dollars. The people-to-people exchanges are increasing. 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.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
It is the common will of the two peoples and the unstoppable tide of history to advance China-India friendship and cooperation. China and India will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. The “dragon-elephant tango” is the only right choice for both sides. We should adhere to the important consensus reached by the two leaders, and forge a right path for the two neighbouring major countries to coexist in harmony and develop hand in hand.
First, we should build a healthy and stable China-India relationship. Both sides should adhere to the strategic judgment made by the two leaders that “China and India are partners rather than rivals, and development opportunities rather than threats to each other”. We should uphold the principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual accommodation and mutual accomplishment. We should properly handle differences through dialogue, and never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question, or let specific differences affect the overall picture of bilateral ties, so as to ensure that China-India relations always move forward along the track of sound development.
Second, we should develop a mutually beneficial China-India relationship. Both China and India are at a critical stage of national development and revitalization. It is our common goal to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihood. China is actively promoting high-quality development and pursuing higher-standard opening up. India is committed to realizing the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. We should strengthen the alignment of our development strategies, resume and promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and push forward the modernization of the two countries.
Third, we should forge an internationally cooperative China-India relationship. As important members of the Global South, China and India have the responsibility to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and inject stability into a world fraught with uncertainties. As the rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year, China is willing to work with all parties including India to jointly hold a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes, and lead the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development featuring stronger solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Mahatma Gandhi once said, I long for the day when a free India and free China will co-operate together in friendship and brotherhood for their own good and for the good of Asia and the world. Every time I think of these words, I feel deeply moved by his profound aspirations for China-India friendship and his enduring guidance for future generations. Indeed, the mighty tree of China-India friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Its thriving growth depends on all friendly forces, including you and me, to continuously water its roots and ward off pests. Let us join hands with clear visions, uphold the correct mindset, rise above distractions and dissonance, and work for the common well-being of the two peoples as well as the ever-lasting friendship between the two countries.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Now, I would like to propose a toast:
To the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations,
To the friendship and prosperity of China and India,
To the good health and happiness of all friends,
Cheers!
Chinese ambassador says China-India ties at crucial stage, urges India to create fair, transparent business climate for Chinese companies
March 31 (Global Times) — April 1 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India. In a recent interview with the Global Times, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said the relationship is at a crucial stage, urging both sides to overcome obstacles and take proactive steps to advance cooperation. Xu said that India was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China and the first non-socialist country to establish diplomatic ties with China.
A review of the 75-year history of China-India relations shows that, despite periods of turbulence, the relationship has generally maintained a positive trajectory, with friendly exchanges and practical cooperation remaining the dominant theme, said Xu.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized, from any point of view, China and India should be good neighbors who live in harmony and work together as good partners, the ambassador noted.
In October last year, President Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a successful bilateral meeting in Kazan, Russia, setting the tone for overcoming challenges in China-India relations and signaling a new phase of engagement. Since then, both sides have worked to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, strengthening exchanges at various levels and achieving a series of positive outcomes, Xu said.
In recent months, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met several times at multilateral events. The two countries also held the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for China-India Boundary Question in Beijing in December, 2024 as well as China-India Vice Foreign Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue in January, reaching broad consensus on bilateral relations, practical cooperation, and boundary issues, according to Xinhua reports.
The Chinese Ambassador noted that such frequent and constructive interactions have been rare in recent years, signaling that China-India relations are at a crucial stage of improvement and development. Moving forward, both sides will need to further overcome obstacles, remove disruptions, and take proactive steps to sustain and build on this positive momentum, he said.
The ambassador also noted Modi’s recent remarks in a podcast interview, in which he emphasized dialogue over discord, acknowledging that differences between neighboring countries are natural, but must not escalate into disputes.
Modi’s remarks reflect the importance the Indian leadership attaches to China-India relations, said Xu, noting that in response, the Chinese side promptly addressed the remarks through a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides. Xu said he noticed that the statement received widespread coverage in Indian media, many of which spotlighted the phrase “dragon-elephant tango.”
“History has repeatedly shown that the significance of China-India relations goes far beyond the bilateral level, carrying regional and global implications. Greater solidarity and cooperation between the two will benefit Asia and positively impact the world,” said Xu.
As spring arrives, China and India are set to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, marking an important milestone in their shared journey. China stands ready to work with India to review the journey of the past, chart a vision for the future, properly manage differences, and steadily advance exchanges and cooperation across various levels and sectors, Xu told the Global Times.
Common denominator of China and India
When asked about deepening cooperation, the Chinese ambassador said both nations are undergoing key modernization phases, and that development remains their “greatest common denominator.” Xu said China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization, while India has put forward the Viksit Bharat vision of building India into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence in 2047. He added that China is ready to align strategies with India, support mutual progress, and pursue shared growth as partners on the path to modernization.
“We are willing to work with the Indian side to strengthen practical cooperation in trade and other areas, and to import more Indian products that are well-suited to the Chinese market. We also welcome more Indian enterprises to cross the Himalayas and seek opportunities for cooperation in China, sharing the dividends of China’s development.”
At the same time, we hope India will create a fair and transparent business climate for Chinese companies, further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and delivering more tangible benefits to the two countries and their peoples, said the ambassador.
Ambassador Xu also noted that amid accelerating changes unseen in a century, China and India — as two key forces in the global trend toward multipolarity, two major engines of world economic growth, and leading voices of the Global South — have once again found themselves at the forefront of the times.
As President Xi pointed out that “if China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; and if we join hands, the whole world will pay attention,” the two countries are called upon to uphold and carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, said Xu.
Xu urged both sides to help build a fairer global order and jointly address major challenges including climate change, terrorism, and food and energy security, contributing to peace and shared prosperity of the world.
Promote exchanges
During the Vice Foreign Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue, China and India agreed to resume direct passenger flights and take steps to ease travel and journalist exchanges.
In 2019, about 50 direct flights connected the two countries each week. These routes were suspended due to the pandemic and remain inactive.
Many Indian and Chinese friends have complained this, Xu said, noting that the lack of direct flights forces them to transit through third countries, which is time-consuming, costly, and inconvenient. There is a strong expectation on both sides for the early resumption of direct flights.
Media plays a crucial role in boosting China-India understanding. However, due to certain reasons, China has not been able to dispatch resident journalists to India for the past two years. At present, the relevant authorities of both countries are engaged in active consultations on the resumption of direct flights and the exchange of resident journalists, working on specific arrangements, said the ambassador.
Xu expressed hope that India will move toward the same direction to achieve concrete progress, enhancing people-to-people ties and practical cooperation.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, the two countries have agreed to launch a series of activities, including media and think tank exchanges, Track II dialogues, and other people-to-people initiatives.
“The foundation of state-to-state relations lies in the affinity between peoples. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and India have stood the test of time, enduring historical changes and geopolitical shifts, and have laid a profound foundation for mutual learning between two ancient Eastern civilizations. These exchanges have become a lasting spiritual bond that continues to nurture and sustain China-India relations.”
Xu said China is committed to people-to-people exchanges, noting that its embassy and consulates issued 280,000 visas to Indian citizens last year. In the first quarter of this year, around 70,000 visas were issued, representing about a 15 percent year-on-year increase.
More exchanges involving media, think tanks, and youth are planned this year to spark new ideas and deepen mutual understanding, according to Xu.
Future lies in Youth
Since assuming office as the 17th Chinese Ambassador to India in May 2024, Xu has traveled across the country and engaged with people from all walks of life.
Xu said his travels let him feel the energy of India’s rapid development and its rich, diverse culture. “China and India share close historical ties, similar values, and a strong foundation of friendship built on shared goals of prosperity,” he said.
China and India have the world’s largest youth populations, and the exchanges and interactions between the young people of our two countries are particularly noteworthy, Xu said, noting that the Chinese Embassy has organized a series of events and through these activities, they had many face-to-face exchanges with young Indian friends.
From their energy, we see the future of our nations; from their curiosity and aspiration for China, we are more confident about China-India friendship, said the ambassador.
“I sincerely hope that more young friends from both countries will visit each other’s countries, walk around and see for themselves, becoming envoys of friendship who connect hearts, foster mutual learning, and deepen understanding between the peoples of China and India,” said the ambassador.
