Xi calls India and China friends and partners in Republic Day address

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his country’s positive relationship with India during India’s Republic Day celebrations. According to official reports from China, Xi referred to Beijing and New Delhi as “good neighbours, friends and partners” in a message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

Over the past year, relations between China and India have continued to improve, according to Xinhua news agency. The two countries have strengthened their ties following nearly four years of border tensions and economic curbs that followed the 2020 border clashes. In August last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, where he expressed his commitment to improving bilateral relations.

The improvement in relations comes after a period of tension between the two countries, which was exacerbated by the US trade war. The US imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods and Chinese goods are subject to over 30 percent tariff. However, despite these tensions, bilateral trade between China and India continued, with annual exports reaching $130 billion.

In October last year, Xi met Modi in Kazan, Russia, during a BRICS summit, marking the first formal talks between the two leaders in five years. The meeting was seen as an effort to rebuild ties between the two countries. In his message to Murmu, Xi referred to China and India as the “dragon and the elephant dancing together”. He expressed hope that both sides would expand exchanges and cooperation to promote healthy and stable relations.

Following their meeting, India and China announced plans to resume direct flights after five years. Additionally, India is reportedly planning to ease curbs on Chinese investment in the country.

Source: Al Jazeera