India-China to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping has described Beijing and New Delhi as “good neighbors, friends and partners”. He expressed hope that the two countries will enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Jinping made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Monday (January 26).
Xi Jinping’s remarks come as the two Asian superpowers continue to improve ties amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff war that has shaken global trade, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported. China-India relations have been improving and developing over the past year and are of great importance for maintaining world peace, prosperity and development.
Xi Jinping’s heartfelt remarks come at a time when Beijing and New Delhi are rebuilding their ties after nearly four years of tension and economic restrictions following a 2020 border clash. Twenty Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the clash.
After a 2020 border clash, India banned Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok and tightened restrictions on Chinese investment in the world’s most populous country. Nevertheless, bilateral trade between the two neighbors continues, with annual trade exceeding $130 billion.
Last August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. During that visit, he pledged to improve bilateral relations; a sign of growing closer ties with Beijing. A few days earlier, the United States had imposed high tariffs on Indian goods.
After returning to power last year, Trump launched a tariff war. Trump’s tariffs on countries around the world, including India and China, have created a severe economic crisis. Currently, the United States has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports; one of the highest US tariffs in the world. On the other hand, Washington has imposed tariffs of more than 30 percent on Chinese goods.
The two Asian superpowers began the process of rebuilding ties with a meeting between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia in October 2024. India and China are founding members of the BRICS alliance – Trump has criticized the alliance. It was the first formal meeting between Modi and Xi in five years.
In his congratulatory message, Xi Jinping referred to China and India as “dragons and elephants dancing together”, according to Xinhua news agency. He expressed hope that the two sides would increase bilateral exchanges and cooperation and address each other’s concerns to advance healthy and stable relations.
Although the complex border issue still awaits resolution, both countries are taking various steps to strengthen ties. Last October, India and China announced the resumption of direct flights after five years. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, India is planning to ease restrictions on Chinese investment.
Source: Reuters