Dragon & Elephant Must Dance: China ‘Appreciates’ PM Modi’s Podcast Remarks On Delhi-Beijing Ties

New Delhi: China has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s recent positive remarks on India-China relations during the ‘Lex Fridman Podcast’ show calling for deeper cooperation between the two Asian giants.  

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Xu Feihong said that working together toward mutual progress is the only right path for both nations.  

“Prime Minister Modi's recent positive remarks on China-India relations are appreciated. 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,” he said. 

China expressed its willingness to collaborate with India to implement agreements reached by their leaders and foster stable, healthy relations.  

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“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 promote the healthy and stable development of China-India relations,” he added. 

‘Yes, Border Disputes Have Existed, But…’

In a podcast interview with American podcaster and AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about India-China relations, acknowledging that disagreements between neighbors are natural. He stressed that open dialogue is essential to prevent differences from turning into conflicts.  

Referring to the 2020 border tensions, PM Modi said that his recent discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping have helped restore normalcy. "The incidents along the border in 2020 caused significant strain. However, after my recent meeting with President Xi, we have seen stability return, and efforts are underway to restore pre-2020 conditions," he said.  

Ties between India and China had soured after the Galwan Valley clash in May 2020. However, in October last year, both nations reached a key agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.  The breakthrough followed PM Modi’s meeting with President Xi during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where they endorsed the agreement and committed to reviving dialogue mechanisms.  

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"No relationship is perfect, and differences are natural between neighboring nations. But rather than discord, we prioritize dialogue, as it is the foundation of a stable and cooperative partnership," said PM Modi.  

"Yes, border disputes have existed. But trust, energy, and engagement will gradually return. It won’t happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction," he added.