Kochi: China and India are “good neighbours, friends and partners”, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while greeting President Droupadi Murmu on the 77th Republic Day celebrations, the Hindu said quoting the official Xinhua news agency.
Xi said that over the past year, China-India relations have continued to improve and develop and are of “great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity.”
China has always believed that being “good neighbours, friends and partners” is the right choice for both China and India, Xi said.
China and India were the “dragon and the elephant dancing together,” he said. Xi hoped that both sides would expand exchanges and cooperation and address each other’s concerns to promote healthy and stable relations.
The Himalayan border was heavily militarised by both sides after the 2020 clash in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers died in hand-to-hand combat.
Direct flights resumed in 2025 as both countries stepped up trade and investment flows following the US’ combative foreign policy.
Photo: Facebook
Xi Jinping greets Murmu
