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Without naming the United States, Xu criticised what he described as attempts by “certain elements” to strain India-China ties by amplifying differences
Xu’s remarks are largely seen as a rebuttal to recent remarks by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has said that India and China achieved “remarkable” development in the last few decades because of their “hard work” not due to the “generosity” of others, rejecting claims that external support played a decisive role in Beijing’s growth.
While speaking at the 14th China-India Youth Dialogue, Xu asserted that the achievements of the two Asian giants were “by no means the result of others’ generosity,” in remarks widely seen as a response to recent comments by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who recently characterised past US economic support for China as a “mistake” that Washington will avoid repeating with New Delhi.
Landau, during his address at the Raisina Dialogue earlier this month, had described past US economic support to China as a “mistake” and indicated that Washington would avoid extending similar advantages to India.
Without naming the United States, Xu criticised what he described as attempts by “certain elements” to strain India-China ties by amplifying differences and promoting a “so-called China threat” narrative for strategic gain.
“In recent decades, both China and India have achieved remarkable development. These achievements are built on the hard work and wisdom of our own people, supported by global cooperation, and are by no means the result of others’ generosity,” the Chinese envoy said.
Xu said India and China should achieve development through their own efforts, while actively pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and supporting each other’s success.
Calling for stronger bilateral ties, the envoy emphasised that India and China should remain “good-neighbourly friends and partners” and work together for mutual success, invoking the phrase “Dragon-Elephant Tango” to describe potential cooperation.
“China and India are neighbours that cannot be moved apart. It should be the right choice for both sides to be good-neighbourly friends and partners that help each other succeed, and realise the Dragon-Elephant Tango,” he said.
“However, some people are unwilling to see China and India live in harmony. They deliberately amplify our differences, hype up the so-called ‘China threat’, and hope to profit from discord between our two countries,” Xu said.
“In the face of a complex and changing landscape, young people should think independently and step out of the ‘information cocoon’,” he added.
Highlighting recent diplomatic engagements between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xu said bilateral relations have seen a “reset and fresh start,” with improving exchanges across sectors.
The ambassador said as the world’s two largest developing countries and major emerging economies, China-India relations have “transcended” the bilateral scope, and bear important global and strategic significance.
“Since the meetings between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan and Tianjin, China-India relations have moved from ‘a reset and fresh start’ to a new level of improvement, with positive progress in exchanges and cooperation across various fields,” he said.
“Looking ahead, the development of China-India relations requires not only the strategic guidance of our leaders, but also the mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples,” he said.
Positioning both nations as key players in the Global South, Xu called for greater coordination between India and China to safeguard the interests of developing countries amid rising unilateralism and protectionism.
“In a world of transformation and turbulence, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and hegemonism and power politics prevail, severely undermining the existing international order,” he said.
“As important members of the Global South, China and India should strengthen communication and coordination, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and lead the Global South toward greater development,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
March 27, 2026, 06:12 IST
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