China Views India as Key Partner, Signals Fresh Momentum in Bilateral Ties

China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Tuesday signalled what he described as a renewed momentum in India-China relations, emphasising culture, trade, and trust as key pillars for improving ties between the two Asian neighbours. Speaking at a Spring Festival and Chinese New Year reception attended by Chinese and Indian guests, the envoy blended cultural reflections with economic data and diplomatic signals pointing towards a gradual reset in bilateral relations after years of strain.

Drawing on his recent travels across India, Feihong highlighted centuries-old civilisational links between the two countries. Referring to his visits to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage sites known for their Buddhist art and architecture, he said the monuments reflected the deep historical exchanges and shared learning between Chinese and Indian Buddhist traditions.

The ambassador also spoke about his visit to Santiniketan in West Bengal, home to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, and interactions with students and faculty at the Chinese language and culture departments of Visva-Bharati University. These experiences, he said, reinforced his belief in the enduring cultural bonds and spiritual resonance between the two nations.

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Feihong drew parallels between traditional festivals and philosophical values in both countries, noting that India and China share an emphasis on unity, harmony, and self-reliance at both the family and national levels. He suggested that China’s vision of global harmony and India’s aspirations for a larger global role intersect in their shared support for multilateralism and the development of the Global South.

Stressing Beijing’s approach to New Delhi, the ambassador said China views India as “a cooperation partner and a development opportunity,” calling for better alignment of development strategies and deeper practical cooperation. He argued that such collaboration could help both sides “expand the pie of future benefits” rather than compete over limited gains.

A significant portion of his remarks focused on economic ties. Feihong said bilateral trade between India and China reached a record $155.6 billion in 2025, registering over 12 per cent year-on-year growth. He added that Indian exports to China rose by 9.7 per cent during the same period, underlining what he described as the vast untapped potential of economic engagement between the two economies.

The envoy also highlighted recent steps aimed at easing travel and boosting people-to-people exchanges. China has resumed the pilgrimage for Indian devotees to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region, while India has restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. Direct flights between the two countries have also been restored, moves he said would significantly strengthen interpersonal contacts and mutual understanding.

Referring to high-level diplomatic engagement, Feihong cited the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin last August, describing it as a successful interaction that helped place bilateral ties on a path of gradual improvement. Since then, he said, exchanges at multiple levels have increased and relations have continued to stabilise.

The ambassador concluded by reaffirming China’s commitment to what he called “true multilateralism,” along with safeguarding free trade and maintaining stable global supply chains—issues of particular importance amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Wishing guests a prosperous Year of the Horse, Feihong said the combination of shared cultural memory, pragmatic economic cooperation, and sustained diplomatic engagement could shape a more constructive future for India-China relations.

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