'Dragon..elephant must dance together:' China to India amid Trump's tariff
What's the story
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stressed the need for stronger ties between China and India.
He said, "China has always believed that being mutually supportive partners and achieving the 'Dragon and Elephant Dance' is the only correct choice for both sides."
The minister also noted recent positive developments in their relationship, including a historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
Progress
Diplomatic engagement strengthens bilateral ties
Wang said that the Xi-Modi meeting in Kazan, Russia, gave strategic guidance to enhance bilateral ties.
He said, "China-India relations have made positive strides over the past year."
He also said if the two nations come together, "democratisation of international relations and development and strengthening of 'Global South' (i.e., less developed Asian, African, and South American nations) will have a brighter future."
Tariff
Trade war brewing
The outreach comes as a trade war builds between the US and China, after Donald Trump signed an order on Tuesday to raise duties on Chinese imports entering his country from 10% to 20%.
In response, the Chinese embassy in the US said, "If war is what the US wants...be it tariff...or any other type, we're ready to fight."
Trump, in his first address to Congress, also announced that reciprocal tariffs on countries like India would begin on April 2.
Cooperation
Border issues shouldn't define overall relationship
On border issues with India, Wang stressed that its shouldn't characterize the entire relationship.
"As two ancient civilizations, we have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution," he said.
He reiterated that China and India, the world's largest neighbors and leading developing economies, should be partners in each other's success.
"There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undermine each other," he stated.
Breakthrough
Resolution of military standoff marks significant achievement
A major success in their diplomatic engagement was ending a years-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Last year, India and China reached an agreement to withdraw troops from Depsang and Demchok, ending a four-year deadlock.
Subsequently, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi met for the 23rd Special Representatives dialogue in Beijing last December.
A month later, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited China for talks with his counterpart Sun Weidong under the 'Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister' framework.