Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

China and India are important neighbors and both belong to the Global South, sharing deep cultural ties and extensive common interests, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. He answered questions from journalists from home and abroad on China’s foreign policy and external relations, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang made the remarks in response to a question regarding the current state of China-India relations, the progress in their improvement and the future trajectory given that relations between the two countries have returned to a normal track and India is serving as the chair of BRICS this year.

Wang said that in August last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin, which, following their meeting in Kazan, further elevated China-India relations. The two sides have conscientiously implemented the important consensus reached by their leaders. Exchanges at various levels have been strengthened, bilateral trade has reached a new high, and people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly active, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

China and India are important neighbors and both belong to the Global South, sharing deep cultural ties and extensive common interests, Wang said. Mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries are conducive to common development, while division and confrontation do not help Asia’s rejuvenation.

The two sides should follow the direction set by the leaders of the two countries, remove disruptions and meet each other halfway, Wang said, outlining four perspectives.

First, both sides should uphold a correct strategic perception and implement the positioning of being partners rather than rivals, regarding each other as opportunities rather than threats.

Second, we should maintain the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship and jointly safeguard peace and stability in border areas.

Third, we should focus on development as the greatest common denominator and promote more visible outcomes in practical cooperation.

Fourth, we should demonstrate responsibility and support each other in successively assuming the rotating chair of BRICS this year and next year, so as to bring new hope to the vast number of Global South countries through more substantive BRICS cooperation, Wang said.

Global Times