Path forward may be difficult, we are prepared to walk: Vikram Misri on China ties

The messages were released by Beijing, not Delhi where there is cautious optimism — the Chinese outreach is the latest ever since Modi and Xi met last October on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan.

The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Tianjin in China later this year.

These congratulatory messages are intended to create a positive atmosphere for the two leaders to meet though the standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh is yet to end.

Also Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the 75th anniversary celebrations organised by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. This is the first time since 2019 that the Foreign Secretary has attended such an event – Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary, in charge of China, in the Ministry of External Affairs, had attended the earlier events.

Misri said, “In past few years, since our relations have gone through a difficult phase, but largely due to the guidance by our leaders and untiring efforts by political leadership, by our military leaders and by our diplomats, who maintained communications throughout this time, our two countries have resolved several issues along the border areas. This too holds the message for us, which is that peace and tranquility on the border areas is critical for the smooth development of our overall bilateral nations. And it is on the basis of this fundamental understanding, which was shared in a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, that both of us are now working together to chart a roadmap for our bilateral relations to return to a stable, predictable path, as agreed by our leaders.”

He said “a durable basis for rebuilding these ties is the three-fold formula of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests… path forward may be a difficult one, but it is one that we are prepared to walk, and it is on the basis of the steps that we have already taken in the last five months that we have seen promising beginnings.”

In his message, President Xi pointed out that China and India are both ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South.

“Both countries are at a critical stage in their respective modernization drive. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for both sides to become partners for mutual success and realize a cooperative pas de deux (tango) of the dragon and the elephant, which completely serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. Both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and seek ways for neighbouring major countries to get along in peaceful coexistence, mutual trust and mutual benefit, and common development, and jointly push forward world multipolarization and democracy in international relations”, Xi said, in the message that was shared by Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India.

“President Xi expressed his readiness to work with President Murmu, taking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity, to promote strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination on major international affairs, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in China-India border regions, advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity,” it stated.

According to the Chinese envoy’s post, “President Murmu said that India and China are two large neighbours, who represent a third of humanity. Stable, predictable and amicable bilateral relations will bring major benefits to us both, as indeed to the world. Let us utilize the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations to work towards the healthy and stable development of India-China bilateral relations.”

In a separate post on X, Ambassador Xu posted about Premier Li Qiang’s congratulatory messages with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Premier Li stated that China stands ready to work with India, taking the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations as an opportunity, continue to enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples,” it said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and China are two ancient cultures and civilizations. We have played a significant role in shaping human history and bear a significant responsibility now to promote peace and development. Progress in our bilateral relations will contribute not only to global stability and prosperity but also to the emergence of a multi-polar world. The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations may usher in a period of healthy and stable development in India-China bilateral relations,” the post said.

Last week, officials reviewed the situation along the LAC and worked on advancing effective border management, and explored various measures to implement the decisions made after the last meeting of the Special Representatives.