Xi hails ‘great significance’ of China-India ties

The Chinese president has described Beijing and New Delhi as “friends” and “partners” in a Republic Day message

Ties between China and India are of great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said.

Conveying his greetings to President Droupadi Murmu on India’s Republic Day, Xi said Beijing and New Delhi are good friends and partners, and that this is the right approach for the Asian neighbors, according to Xinhua.

Xi added that ties between the two nations have continued to improve and develop, and that these are of “great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity.” The Chinese leader also described ties as the “dragon and the elephant dancing together.”

Relations between India and China hit a low after a border clash between the neighbors in 2020. However, a thaw began after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi in October 2024 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The leaders met again at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin in September 2025, where they agreed to enhance cooperation.

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Direct flights between China and India officially resumed in October 2025.  The Asian neighbors have also eased visa restrictions for each other’s citizens over the last year.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported India is planning to lift restrictions on Chinese companies bidding for government contracts, introduced after the 2020 border clashes.

The growing warmth in India-China ties also comes amid moves to bring new Russia sanctions legislation in the US, targeting both Asian giants.

Beijing has accused the US of attempting to “drive a wedge between China and other countries” and of seeking to undermine its ties with India.