Beijing: China has warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent positive remarks regarding China-India relations, expressing readiness to work towards deepening cooperation and fostering mutual success. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning praised Modi's comments made during a podcast interview with AI researcher Lex Fridman, according to Chinese state media reports on Monday.

China Responds to PM Modi’s Podcast Comments
Responding to media queries about Modi’s remarks, Mao Ning said China appreciates the optimism and constructive tone of the Indian Prime Minister.

“China is willing to work with India to fully implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both nations,” Mao said, as quoted by the Global Times. She emphasized that 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, presents an opportunity to advance exchanges and cooperation across various fields.

Mao highlighted the historical significance of friendly exchanges between the two civilizations, which have spanned over 2,000 years and contributed immensely to world civilization and human progress.

"Dragon-Elephant Dance": The Only Correct Choice
Reiterating a phrase often used to describe China-India cooperation, Mao stated that a "Dragon-Elephant Dance" is not only desirable but “the only correct choice” for the two Asian giants.
The metaphor underscores the potential for collaborative growth and peaceful coexistence, as the two countries represent two of the world's largest populations and fastest-growing economies.

PM Modi's Remarks: Optimism and Caution
During the podcast, PM Modi acknowledged both the ancient civilizational ties and modern challenges that define India-China relations. He noted that, despite ongoing border disputes, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, both nations have been working to restore normalcy at the border.
Modi revealed that after his recent meeting with President Xi Jinping, there has been progress toward returning to pre-2020 conditions.
“Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm, and energy will return. But, of course, it will take some time since there’s been a five-year gap,” Modi said during the podcast.

Healthy Competition, Not Conflict
Modi stressed the importance of maintaining healthy competition rather than allowing differences to escalate into disputes.
“Our relationship should remain just as strong in the future. Of course, differences are natural... But our focus is to ensure these differences don’t turn into disputes,” he emphasized.

Recent Diplomatic Developments
The renewed optimism follows Modi and Xi’s brief meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit last October in Kazan, Russia. While the border dispute remains unresolved, both nations have signaled a willingness to stabilize ties and focus on cooperation.

What’s Next?
Both countries are expected to hold high-level dialogues in the lead-up to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Observers say the tone of PM Modi’s comments and China’s positive response could indicate a thaw in relations, though trust-building measures will be key to sustaining momentum.