‘Dragon and Elephant Dancing Together’: Xi Jinping Sends Warm Message to India
According to the state news agency Xinhua, President Xi described Beijing and New Delhi as "good neighbors, great friends, and reliable partners" in his message sent on Monday. He emphasized that a friendly relationship between the two nations is of significant importance for maintaining global peace and prosperity.
In his message, Xi Jinping used the evocative metaphor of the "dragon and elephant dancing together" to describe the potential of the bilateral relationship. He expressed hope that both sides would expand the scope of mutual exchange and give due consideration to each other's core concerns. By doing so, he believes a sustainable and stable bilateral tie can be established. Xinhua reported that Xi noted the steady improvement in China-India relations over the past year and called on both nations to choose the right path of cooperation.
The relationship between these two nuclear-armed neighbors, who share a 3,800-kilometer disputed border, faced a major rift following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. That incident led to a massive military buildup along the Himalayan frontier. However, the diplomatic frost began to thaw in 2025 with the resumption of high-level bilateral visits and direct flight services. Observers note that against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s hardline foreign policy, China and India are now actively seeking to elevate their ties through increased trade and investment.
