Narendra Modi Photo: VCG

Prime Minister Modi's recent positive remarks on China-India relations are appreciated and China is willing to work with India to fully implement the consensus reached by the leaders of two countries and promote the healthy and stable development of the relationship, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to strengthen ties with China despite past tensions, advocating dialogue over discord and cooperation over conflict, during an interview with MIT research scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, which was released on Sunday. Modi also underscored that India and China should engage in healthy and natural competition rather than confrontation.

Experts view Modi's remarks as a pragmatic approach to China-India relations, acknowledging that cooperation and competition can coexist.

Being partners in mutual achievement and realizing "a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for China and India," Mao said on Monday. 

China is willing to work with India to fully implement the consensus reached by their leaders, take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to advance exchanges and cooperation across various fields and levels, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-India relations, Mao added. 

During the conversation with Fridman, Modi highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between China and India, stressing their shared contributions to global civilization. "The relationship between India and China isn't something new. Both nations have ancient cultures and civilizations. Even in the modern world, they play a significant role. If you look at historical records, for centuries, India and China have learned from each other. Together, they have always contributed to the global good in some way," Modi said, according to a report from NDTV.

Noting that two neighboring countries are bound to have occasional arguments, PM Modi said that differences between them are also natural. He drew parallels with the scenario of a family, saying that even within them, not all things are perfect. "But our focus is to ensure that these differences don't turn into disputes. That's what we actively work toward," the PM said, according to The Hindustan Times. 

Modi's remarks underscore the Indian government's current pragmatic approach to advancing China-India relations, building on the positive momentum since the Kazan summit of the leaders. His remarks align with the broader trend of bilateral ties returning to a path of stable and healthy development, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times. 

Qian noted that since the meeting in Kazan, China-India relations made positive strides with both sides implementing the important consensus, strengthening exchanges at all levels and practical cooperation, resulting in a series of positive outcomes, said the expert. 

For example, in December, 2024, China and India held the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC) in New Delhi, and the two sides agreed to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, and safeguard sustainable peace and stability in the border areas, according to a release from Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Modi also mentioned the border disputes when talking with Fridman. He said that "We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020. 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."

Qian said that after years of standoff, the China-India border issue has returned to a stable and manageable state. Moving forward, he said, both sides may enter the next phase of negotiations, although the process could be lengthy.

The key priority is ensuring the effective implementation of existing agreements with full compliance. At the same time, both sides need to explore ways to steadily advance the resolution process beyond the current stage, said Qian.

He also noted that resolving the China-India border issue requires sustained joint efforts and the use of multi-tiered diplomatic mechanisms to achieve a fair and reasonable settlement.

During the conversation, Modi also highlighted the importance of managing competition responsibly. He described cooperation between India and China as essential for global stability and prosperity.

 "And since the 21st century is Asia's century, we want India and China to compete healthily. Competition is not a bad thing, but it should never turn into a conflict," said Modi, according to Hindustan Times. 

"Healthy, natural competition is a normal part of international relations. Every country navigates both cooperation and competition, and China and India, as neighboring major powers, are no exception. The key is to ensure that differences do not escalate into confrontation," Qian said.

At the same time, China and India are at different stages of development, and competition in emerging industries is unavoidable. However, as long as this competition remains fair, constructive, and regulated, it can serve as a catalyst for both countries to strengthen their own growth and development. Competition is not a challenge to avoid but an opportunity to seize, said Qian. 

Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday highlighted the challenges posed by China's rise as a "dominant economic and strategic force," claiming that it "hampers India's ability to position itself as the natural leader of the Global South," according to The Times of India. 

Dwivedi's remarks reflect the trust deficit in China-India relations, despite recent positive momentum. They also highlight the contradictions in India's China policy—while India seeks to expand economic cooperation with China, it remains strategically ambivalent, carefully balancing engagement with geopolitical caution, said Qian, calling for joint efforts in continuing improving ties.