Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his opening remarks at delegation-level talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, said it was important for China and India to be friends and for the ‘dragon and elephant’ to unite.
Noting that the world is going through a complex and unstable situation, Xi said it is the right choice for both China and India – two ancient civilizations, two most populous countries and members of the global South – to become friends and good neighbors, enable each other’s success and “dance like a dragon and an elephant together.”
“I am pleased to meet Prime Minister Modi again and welcome him to China for the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),” Xi said.
In a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, he said, “Last year, we had a successful meeting in Kazan, which gave a new start to China-India relations. The important points we agreed on have been implemented by both sides, and bilateral exchanges and cooperation have made progress.”
Xi said, “Today, the world is being affected by once-in-a-century changes. The international situation is unstable. As two ancient civilizations, the world’s two most populous countries, and important members of the Global South, China and India both bear the historic responsibility of improving the well-being of the people, enhancing the unity of developing countries, and advancing the progress of human society. It is the right decision to be good neighbors and friendly friends, partners who enable each other’s success, and not let the dragon and the elephant eat together.”
Xi recalled that this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations, saying, “Both sides need to view the relationship from a strategic height and a long-term perspective. Only in this way can the relationship be driven towards sustainable, stable and sound development. We must work together to support multilateralism, bring democracy to the multipolar world and international relations, and contribute to peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.” RSS/ANI
