'India, China have wisdom to handle differences', says envoy as Beijing seeks stable ties

India and China have “sufficient political and historical wisdom” to properly handle their differences, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said Wednesday, as Beijing called for the two Asian powers to strengthen cooperation while continuing to manage the boundary question separately.

Speaking at a reception in New Delhi marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xu said the two countries should maintain the “correct strategic perception” of each other and approach their relationship from a long-term perspective. He said Beijing remained committed to a “dual-track approach” under which the broader bilateral relationship and the boundary issue could be addressed simultaneously, with progress on each reinforcing the other.

‘Partners rather than rivals’

Xu said India and China, as close neighbours and ancient civilisations, had a long history of exchanges and cooperation and possessed the capacity to manage their disagreements.

“As two ancient civilisations, China and India have sufficient political and historical wisdom to handle differences properly,” he said.

The envoy stressed that peace and tranquillity should be maintained in the border areas to enable the wider relationship to continue moving forward. The boundary dispute has remained one of the most difficult issues in bilateral ties, particularly following the military standoff that began in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

Xu said China and India should regard each other as “partners rather than rivals” and as “development opportunities rather than threats”. Beijing, he added, was ready to work with New Delhi to find an appropriate way for two neighbouring major powers to coexist.

The remarks reflect China’s push to stabilise relations with India while keeping disagreements over the boundary from defining the entirety of the bilateral relationship.

Modi-Xi consensus

The Chinese envoy also referred to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, saying the two leaders had reached an important consensus on placing India-China relations on a “sound and stable track”.

Xu said the two sides should translate the understanding reached at the leadership level into concrete action that could benefit people in both countries.

Relations between New Delhi and Beijing have seen efforts at gradual stabilisation following years of tensions over the Line of Actual Control. India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for normal bilateral relations.

China has sought to emphasise a broader approach, arguing that the boundary question should be appropriately managed while cooperation continues in other areas.

Trade ties expand

Xu also pointed to growing economic engagement, saying bilateral trade reached $91.7 billion during the first half of 2026, an increase of 23.6 per cent from the corresponding period a year earlier.

“Development is the shared goal of our two countries,” he said, calling for stronger exchanges, “win-win cooperation” and greater public support for the bilateral relationship.

Economic ties between India and China have remained substantial despite political and security tensions. At the same time, New Delhi has sought to address the large trade imbalance and reduce vulnerabilities in strategically important supply chains.

Xu said cooperation between the two countries could contribute to their respective development and revitalisation, while arguing that their economic relationship should be viewed through the prism of opportunity rather than competition alone.

Focus on Global South

The ambassador also called for closer India-China coordination in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20.

He said the two countries should support each other’s BRICS chairmanship and work together to safeguard the interests of the Global South.

Xu argued that closer coordination between India and China could bring greater stability to an international environment facing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

The envoy’s remarks come as both sides attempt to rebuild engagement after the prolonged deterioration in ties triggered by the border confrontation. While the two governments continue to differ on several strategic and territorial questions, recent high-level engagements have increasingly focused on managing those differences while reopening avenues for cooperation.

The test for the relationship will remain whether progress in diplomatic and economic engagement can be accompanied by sustained peace along the disputed boundary — a condition New Delhi has repeatedly identified as central to the normalisation of India-China ties.