China’s Xi Jinping to Modi: China and India Are Partners in Cooperation, Not Rivals

Xinhua

Tianjin: Chinese President Xi Jinping told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that China and India are partners in cooperation, not rivals, and that both countries represent opportunities for growth rather than threats to each other.

The remarks came on Sunday during a bilateral meeting in Tianjin, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025. Xi underlined that as long as both nations adhere to this broad direction, China–India relations can achieve stability and long-term development.

He emphasized that the two neighbors should act as good partners and supporters of each other’s success. Using a symbolic reference, Xi said, “The cooperation of the Dragon and the Elephant should be the right choice for both nations.”

Marking the 75th anniversary of China–India diplomatic relations, Xi urged both countries to manage ties from a strategic and long-term perspective. He called for:

• Strengthening strategic communication to deepen mutual trust,
• Expanding people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation,
• Listening to each other’s concerns for harmonious coexistence, and
• Enhancing multilateral collaboration to safeguard shared interests.

On the sensitive border issue, Xi stressed that both Asian neighbors must ensure peace and stability in frontier regions and not allow boundary disputes to dominate the overall bilateral relationship.

Xi concluded that stronger China–India cooperation would not only benefit both nations but also contribute positively to regional and global stability.