NEW DELHI: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated China’s willingness to collaborate with India to advance bilateral relations on a stable and constructive path. He emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences and working towards a shared future as the two nations mark 75 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Speaking at a press conference, Wang Yi said, “This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations. China stands ready to work with India to sum up past experience, forge a path forward, and advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development.”

Wang highlighted the progress made in bilateral ties over the past year and recalled the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.

“China-India relations have made positive strides over the past year. The successful meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan last October provided strategic guidance for improving and developing bilateral ties. Both sides have earnestly followed through on the important common understandings of our leaders, strengthening exchanges and practical cooperation at all levels, and achieving a series of positive outcomes,” Wang said.

Describing India and China as “each other’s largest neighbors,” he stressed the importance of mutual cooperation. “China always believes that the two should be partners that contribute to each other’s success. A cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides,” he remarked.

Wang underscored the shared responsibility of both nations to accelerate their development and support each other in achieving economic growth. “As the two largest developing countries, China and India have a shared task to accelerate our countries’ development and revitalization. There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undercut each other, work with each other rather than guard against each other. This is the path that truly serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples,” he said.

Addressing border tensions, Wang expressed confidence in India and China’s ability to maintain peace along the boundary. “As two ancient civilizations, we have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution. We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question, or let specific differences affect the overall picture of our bilateral ties,” he asserted.

He also emphasized the role of both countries in global governance, particularly within the Global South. “As important members of the Global South, we have the responsibility to take the lead in opposing hegemonism and power politics. When China and India join hands, the prospects for greater democracy in international relations and a stronger Global South will improve greatly,” Wang stated.

Earlier, on February 21, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met with Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the discussions, acknowledging their significance in strengthening India-China relations despite past challenges.

“I am glad that we could meet today on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg. Such gatherings have provided an opportunity for our interaction even when our ties were going through a difficult phase,” Jaishankar stated during his opening remarks.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration in a divided global landscape, he noted, “We should also recognize that in a polarised global situation, our two countries have worked hard to preserve and protect the G20 as an institution. This in itself testifies to the importance of international cooperation.”

The latest meeting marked a crucial step in the ongoing dialogue between India and China. 

In recent months, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have visited China, holding discussions aimed at resolving bilateral concerns and fostering a more stable relationship between the two countries.