On the afternoon of September 12 local time, President Xi
Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while attending the 18th
BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. The two leaders had a sincere and in-depth
exchange of views and reached the important consensus that China and India
should be partners.
President Xi pointed out that China always approaches and
develops its relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective.
Over the past two years, I have met with Prime Minister Modi twice, guiding the
bilateral relations from starting afresh to making further improvements. The
institutional exchanges between the two countries have gradually resumed, the
cooperation list has continued to lengthen, and the bilateral trade volume has
hit a new high. This situation has not come easily and needs to be cherished.
China and India have different national realities. We should draw on each
other’s strengths, support each other, help each other succeed, and develop
together. In the face of the changing and turbulent international landscape,
the world’s two most populous countries and important members of the Global
South shoulder important responsibilities. Both sides should keep in mind the
future of humanity and the well-being of the people, and work together to
promote the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, so as to
contribute more positive energy to promoting world peace, stability,
development, and prosperity.
President Xi made four observations on promoting the steady and sustained development of China-India relations. First, calibrate the direction with an objective and rational strategic perception. China and India are partners rather than rivals, and development opportunities rather than threats to each other. This is a strategic judgment made based on the development stage and international environment of the two countries, and one that conforms to the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples. Second, help each other succeed in the spirit of win-win cooperation. Both sides should focus on development as the greatest common denominator, and strengthen friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. It is important to expand cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, direct flights, and other areas to effectively improve the public perception of the bilateral relations. The two sides should also address each other’s economic and trade concerns in a balanced way and promote the sound and steady development of economic and trade relations. Third, remove irritants with the political wisdom of mutual respect and mutual understanding. The two sides should stay committed to advancing bilateral relations and
resolving the boundary question, seek parallel, mutually reinforcing progress, and maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. Fourth, contribute to a better world with open and inclusive multilateral coordination. The two sides should support each other’s BRICS chairship, strengthen coordination in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20, work together to address global challenges, and unequivocally uphold international fairness and justice.
Prime Minister Modi recalled the
many productive meetings he has had with President Xi, which have guided
India-China relations in a positive direction and serve the common interests of
the over 2.8 billion people of the two countries. As two major civilizations, India
and China have engaged in exchanges and mutual learning and moved forward hand
in hand for thousands of years. India always views its relations with China
from a strategic and long-term perspective. It hopes to be a partner, not a
rival, of China, and regards each other’s development as an opportunity, not a
challenge. India has an independent foreign policy, and developing relations
with China is not affected by any third party. India’s policy and position on
issues relating to Taiwan and Tibet remain unchanged, and it will not allow any
force to engage in anti-China activities on its territory. The Indian side
would like to work with China on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust
to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, promote
mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepen people-to-people exchanges, so that
the bilateral relations will enjoy greater development. The two sides should
work together to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. India
appreciates China’s support for its hosting the BRICS Summit, and will fully
support China’s BRICS chairship next year. India will maintain close
coordination and collaboration with China to jointly promote stronger Global
South cooperation, advance world multipolarity and economic growth, and act as
a force for stability and progress in a turbulent world.