China hails PM's 'dialogue over discord' statements

CHINA on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments on India-China relations in conversation with American podcaster Lex Fridman, emphasising that dialogue, not discord, should steer bilateral ties.

- JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

At a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed appreciation for Modi's positive remarks, stating that a cooperative duet between the "elephant" (India) and the "dragon" (China), leading to mutual success, is the only viable option for both sides. This reiterated the recent remarks made by Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding the bilateral ties.

The spokesperson said that the two countries should be partners, contributing to each other's success, and highlighted that a "cooperative pas de deux"—a duet between the dragon and the elephant—is the "only choice for both."