Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has advocated for a “reboot of China-India relations,” referencing the discussions held between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit in Kazan last October.
During his address at the 3rd China-India Youth Dialogue in New Delhi, Ambassador Xu highlighted the necessity of approaching the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term viewpoint.
He also recognized the productive outcomes of the 23rd Special Representatives’ Meeting concerning the China-India Boundary Question and the Vice Foreign Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue in Beijing, which resulted in several mutual agreements.
Ambassador Xu emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements made by the leaders, respecting each other’s core interests, and perceiving each other’s development as a beneficial opportunity. He encouraged increased exchanges and visits across various levels to foster mutual understanding and trust, which are essential for shared development and rejuvenation.
In his remarks, Xu underscored the historical and cultural connections between the two nations, noting that as ancient civilizations, China and India have enriched one another over the centuries.
He pointed out that for more than 1,600 years within the last two millennia, the combined GDP of China and India represented half of the global total, highlighting their historical economic significance. Today, he stated, both countries are key contributors to global economic growth and play an essential role in the emergence of new economies.
Reflecting on his nine-month tenure in India, Xu discussed his travels across various Indian states, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. He reminisced about influential historical figures such as the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang, the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, all of whom significantly contributed to the friendship between China and India.
Xu also pointed out the growing popularity of Indian cinema in China, mentioning the recent success of the Tamil film “Maharaja.”
The ambassador called for both nations to enhance youth exchanges, encourage mutual visits, and strengthen collaboration in education, science, culture, and media. He underscored the importance of young people in fortifying bilateral relations, emphasizing the necessity of cultivating accurate perceptions of each other’s countries to combat misinformation propagated by external entities. He highlighted that Chinese universities offer courses in Hindi and Tamil, while numerous Indian institutions provide Chinese language education, indicating a promising avenue for deeper cultural interactions.
Additionally, Xu addressed the roles of China and India in multilateral organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, and G20. As China prepares to host the upcoming SCO Summit, Ambassador Xu expressed his readiness to collaborate with India and other member states to ensure a successful event, fostering cooperation and friendship among peoples.
