Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a ‘dragon-elephant tango’, symbolizing a harmonious dance between China and India, as both nations seek to reset diplomatic ties after a prolonged freeze due to the 2020 Ladakh military standoff.
In a congratulatory message to President Droupadi Murmu on the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations, Xi emphasized that China and India must be partners in mutual achievement and work towards peaceful coexistence. His statement, carried by state-run Xinhua News Agency, underscores renewed efforts to foster bilateral cooperation.
Xi Jinping Urges Strategic Cooperation
Xi stressed that both nations should approach their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective to ensure mutual trust, benefit, and peaceful development.
“The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement and realize the ‘dragon-elephant tango’, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples,” he said.
He also called for joint efforts to promote a multipolar world and advance democracy in international relations.
President Murmu Calls for Stable India-China Relations
According to Xinhua, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the need for a stable, predictable, and friendly bilateral relationship that benefits both nations and the world.
“She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations,” Xinhua reported.
Modi and Li Qiang Exchange Congratulatory Messages
Apart from Xi and President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
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“Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China,” Guo said during a media briefing in Beijing.
India-China Border De-escalation on Track
The renewed diplomatic efforts come amid the ongoing India-China border de-escalation process. In February, China confirmed that it was working with India to implement resolutions to end the standoff in eastern Ladakh.
This follows India’s announcement last October that it had reached an agreement with China on disengagement at Demchok and Depsang, marking a significant step toward reducing tensions since the Galwan clash in 2020.
High-Level Meetings Pave Way for Reset
To strengthen bilateral ties, PM Modi and Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024—their first meeting in five years. This led to further high-level engagements, including:
December 2024: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 23rd Special Representative dialogue in Beijing to solidify de-escalation.
February 2025: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Wang Yi at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, discussing geopolitical challenges, multilateral cooperation, and global conflicts.
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According to Ministry of External Affairs sources, the joint de-escalation effort is proceeding as per schedule, reflecting both nations’ commitment to stabilizing relations.
A New Chapter in India-China Ties?
As the two Asian giants navigate diplomatic complexities, Xi’s ‘dragon-elephant tango’ analogy symbolizes an attempt to reframe India-China relations toward collaboration rather than conflict. Whether this marks a genuine thaw in tensions remains to be seen, but the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties has undoubtedly set the stage for fresh engagements and renewed dialogue between the two nations.
