Li Keqiang on India

Li Keqiang, during his tenure as Premier, consistently highlighted the strategic importance of China-India relations, often making India the destination of his first overseas visit in that role, such as his trip in May 2013. He saw the relationship as vital for the peace and prosperity of Asia and the world, given the combined population of 2.5 billion people. A core theme he pushed was the necessity for the two nations to join hands for common development, viewing their economies as complementary engines for the global economy. He also stressed China’s strategic choice to maintain good-neighborly relations. However, his engagement occurred against a backdrop of significant bilateral differences, most notably the unresolved boundary question, which had flared up, such as the 1962 armed conflict mentioned in historical context. While promoting economic cooperation, including initiatives like the BCIM Economic Corridor, Li consistently stated that friendship and cooperation defined the relationship, and that differences should be managed through negotiation without affecting the overall growth. He expressed a desire to deepen the strategic and cooperative partnership, expecting upcoming high-level visits to advance practical cooperation on fronts like trade and investment.