As India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message praising the relationship between the two countries, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua. In his greeting to President Droupadi Murmu, Xi described India and China as “good neighbours, friends and partners.”
The Chinese leader also reiterated his oft-used metaphor of the “dragon and the elephant dancing together” to characterise ties between the two Asian nations.
According to news agency Reuters, Xi said he hoped India and China would expand exchanges and cooperation while addressing each other’s concerns in order to promote stability in bilateral relations.
Thaw in India-China ties
Xi’s remarks come amid signs of a gradual improvement in ties between New Delhi and Beijing, which had remained strained for nearly four years following the 2020 Galwan Valley border clash.
Relations began to show signs of recovery after a series of high-level engagements, with a key breakthrough occurring in October 2024, when Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. During the meeting, both sides agreed to end the prolonged border standoff.
Subsequently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited China in July, stating that India and China should build on the “good progress” made in normalising relations to address outstanding border issues, including de-escalation.
Further steps towards normalisation included the resumption of Indian pilgrims’ visits to Kailash and Mansarovar in Tibet, the easing of visa procedures by both countries, and the recent restart of direct flights between India and China.
Republic Day celebrations in India
India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The occasion marks the adoption of the Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 10.30 am and will last approximately 90 minutes. This year’s theme is “150 Years of Vande Mataram”.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are attending the celebrations as chief guests.
