Xi Jinping on India

Xi Jinping views India as a crucial neighbor, friend, and partner, stating that the stable development of China-India relations holds great significance for promoting world peace and prosperity. He has consistently framed the appropriate path for the relationship as being one where both nations are “good neighbours, friends and partners” that help each other succeed, often using the metaphor of the “dragon and the elephant dancing together.” This position emphasizes expanding exchanges and cooperation while addressing each other's concerns to ensure healthy and stable ties, especially as both nations undergo modernization.

However, this stated position exists alongside enduring friction, particularly concerning the long-standing border dispute, which remains a point of sensitivity despite efforts to manage it. The bilateral reset, initiated in late 2024, has seen increased high-level contact and the resumption of direct flights and trade flows, partly in response to a challenging global economic environment influenced by US policies. While the official stance promotes mutual benefit and managing differences, Beijing also maintains its relationship with Pakistan and views India through a lens influenced by its more consequential relationship with the United States.