President Xi Jinping on Sunday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India and China must be “friends and good neighbours.” Moreover, he said it is important for the “dragon and the elephant to come together.”

Furthermore, Xi stressed that both countries hold a unique place in world history. "The world is going towards transformation. China and India are two of the most civilizational countries. We are the world's two most populous countries and part of the Global South... It is vital to be friends, a good neighbour, and the Dragon and the Elephant to come together...," he said.

75 years of diplomatic relations

This year, Xi reminded, marks 75 years of China-India diplomatic ties. Therefore, he urged both sides to handle relations with a strategic and long-term view.

In addition, he added, "We must also step up to our historic responsibilities to uphold multilateralism, a multipolar world, and more democracy in international institutions and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world."

Modi’s first visit in seven years

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Significantly, this is his first trip to China in seven years. During this time, ties had worsened, especially after the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Previously, the two leaders had last met in October last year. That meeting, in fact, led to progress in talks to ease the border standoff.

Modi pushes for cooperation

At the meeting, Modi said India is committed to building ties with China on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.” He also underlined that cooperation between the two countries directly affects the welfare of 2.8 billion people.

Moreover, the prime minister noted that peace and stability returned after last year’s border disengagement. Finally, he announced that direct flights will resume and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will restart.