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“India and China Should Be Partners, Not Rivals,” Says Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called for a more cooperative relationship between India and China, saying the two Asian giants should see each other as partners rather than rivals.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called for a more cooperative relationship between India and China, saying the two Asian giants should see each other as partners rather than rivals.
Speaking at his annual press conference on the sidelines of China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), Wang stressed that both nations should treat each other as an “opportunity instead of a threat” and continue efforts to improve bilateral relations.
According to Wang, the direction set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping has helped stabilise ties between the two countries. He referred to recent high-level meetings between the leaders, which he said played an important role in creating a fresh start in relations.
Wang highlighted that Modi and Xi held a successful meeting in Tianjin last August. He added that the summit built on the momentum created during their earlier meeting in Kazan in 2024.
“The Tianjin meeting further improved China-India relations and helped both sides move forward with renewed engagement,” Wang said.
The Chinese Foreign Minister also noted that interactions between the two countries have increased at multiple levels in recent months. He pointed to record bilateral trade and stronger people-to-people exchanges as positive signs of improving ties.
“These developments have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wang stressed that both India and China should maintain what he described as the “correct strategic perception” of each other.
“Both sides must see each other as partners rather than rivals, and as opportunities instead of threats,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the border areas while focusing on economic growth and development.
“As important neighbours and key members of the Global South, China and India share deep civilisational connections and many common interests,” Wang said.
He added that stronger mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries would contribute not only to their own development but also to the broader progress of Asia.
“Mutual trust and cooperation benefit both nations, while division and confrontation harm the future of Asia,” he said.
Wang also suggested that both countries should continue supporting each other in international forums such as BRICS.
India is set to host the BRICS summit this year, while China is expected to host the grouping’s summit in 2027.
