Overview
- Xi Jinping congratulated President Droupadi Murmu on India’s 77th Republic Day and described China and India as good neighbours, friends and partners.
- He invoked the “dragon and the elephant dancing together” metaphor and urged expanded exchanges and attention to each other’s concerns to keep relations healthy and stable.
- State media said Xi framed improving ties as significant for global peace and prosperity, reflecting Beijing’s push for a steadier relationship.
- Xinhua reported that Premier Li Qiang also sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The outreach follows resumed direct flights, eased visas and plans to restart the Kailash–Mansarovar pilgrimage after Xi–Modi meetings in Kazan in 2024 and Tianjin in 2025, even as the Ladakh standoff and a militarised LAC remain unresolved.