China Welcomes PM Modi’s Call For Dialogue, Hails ‘Dragon-Elephant Dance’ Cooperation

China on Monday expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks advocating dialogue over discord in India-China relations.

Beijing welcomed his comments as "positive" and reaffirmed that cooperation between the two nations, likened to a synchronised dance between the elephant and the dragon, remains the optimal path to mutual prosperity.

Photo Credit: PTI File Photo

"In recent months, both sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by their leaders, strengthened exchanges and practical cooperation at various levels, and achieved a series of positive outcomes," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated.

Mao further emphasised that collaboration between China and India is the only appropriate course of action.

"Being partners in mutual success and achieving 'Dragon-Elephant Dance' cooperation is the only correct choice for China and India," she asserted. She added that China is prepared to work alongside India to implement the consensus reached by their leaders, using the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors.

During a podcast interview with American podcaster and AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Modi addressed India's relationship with China, acknowledging that disagreements between neighbouring nations are natural.

He underscored the importance of dialogue in ensuring that differences do not escalate into disputes.

"In 2020, the incidents along the border created significant tensions between our countries. However, after my recent meeting with President Xi, we have seen a return to normalcy at the border. We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020," PM Modi remarked.

India-China relations had soured following a military standoff in the Galwan Valley in May 2020.

However, on October 21 last year, India announced an agreement with China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a significant step towards resolving the standoff.

In October, PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Both leaders endorsed the India-China agreement on LAC patrolling and disengagement and agreed to reinstate bilateral dialogue mechanisms.

Reflecting on his discussions with President Xi, PM Modi noted that occasional disagreements are inevitable, even in close relationships.

"Our relationship should remain just as strong in the future, and it should continue to grow. Differences are natural when two neighbouring countries exist. Not everything is perfect. Instead of discord, we emphasise dialogue because only through dialogue can we build a stable and cooperative relationship that serves the best interests of both nations," he stated.

The Prime Minister further acknowledged that restoring trust, enthusiasm, and energy in bilateral relations would take time, given the "five-year gap."

"It is true that there have been ongoing border disputes between us. Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm, and energy will return. But of course, it will take some time, since there's been a five-year gap," he observed.

PM Modi also highlighted the longstanding cultural and historical ties between India and China.

"There is no real history of conflicts between us. Both nations have ancient cultures and civilisations. For centuries, India and China have learnt from each other and understood one another. Together, they have always contributed to global good in some way. Old records suggest that at one point, India and China alone accounted for 50 per cent of global GDP. That is how immense India's contribution was," he remarked.