As India marks its 77th Republic Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended warm greetings to the nation, commending the growing ties between Beijing and New Delhi, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. In his message to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, Jinping referred to India and China as “good neighbours, friends and partners.”

The Chinese leader also invoked his familiar metaphor of the “dragon and the elephant dancing together” to describe the evolving relationship between the two Asian giants.

From tensions to cooperation: India-China relations see positive shift

Jinping’s message arrives amid a period of improving relations between India and China, which had remained tense for four years following the 2020 Galwan Valley border clash. Diplomatic engagement between the countries saw a turnaround through a series of high-level meetings.

The path towards normalisation was notably advanced in October 2024, when Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS Summit. The leaders agreed to end the longstanding border standoff. Subsequently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited China in July, highlighting the “good progress” made in restoring bilateral ties and emphasising the need to continue addressing border issues collaboratively.

Additional measures have further strengthened relations, including the resumption of Indian pilgrimages to Kailash-Mansarovar, simplified visa processes, and the restoration of direct flights between the two countries. These steps reflect a steady improvement in India-China cooperation after years of strained ties.