Xi Jinping Urges Modi: ‘Elephant and Dragon Must Come Together’

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday stressed the importance of India and China being “friends and good neighbours,” calling for closer cooperation between the “Dragon and the Elephant.”

“The world is moving towards transformation. China and India are two of the most civilizational countries, the world’s most populous nations, and part of the Global South,” Xi said. “It is vital to be friends, good neighbours, and for the Dragon and the Elephant to come together.” He highlighted the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations and called for a strategic, long-term perspective on bilateral ties.

Xi also emphasized the need for both countries to uphold multilateralism, support a multipolar world, and promote democracy in international institutions, working together for peace and prosperity in Asia and globally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to China in seven years, reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing ties based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity. He noted that peace and stability along the border have improved following last year’s disengagement process, and highlighted the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

“Bilateral cooperation between India and China is linked to the welfare of 2.8 billion people,” Modi said, underscoring the global significance of stable and constructive ties between the two nations.