China-India Relations Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties

By A Staff Reporter

Kolkata, March 31, 2025 – The 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and India was commemorated in Kolkata with a reception attended by dignitaries, officials, and scholars. In a speech, Chinese Consul General Xu Wei underscored the historical, economic, and cultural ties binding the two nations.

Seventy-five years ago, on April 1, 1950, China and India established formal diplomatic relations. Over the decades, despite challenges, both nations have emphasized good-neighborly ties and economic collaboration. "The past 75 years have brought dramatic changes to both China and India," Xu noted, citing China’s economic transformation and India’s rise as a global IT and trade powerhouse.

China’s GDP has surged from $30 billion in 1952 to $18.94 trillion in 2024, with life expectancy increasing from 35 to 78.6 years. Simultaneously, India, now the world's fifth-largest economy, has flourished as a global leader in IT services and cultural exports, from Bollywood to its vibrant culinary heritage.

Xu also highlighted shared global responsibilities, referencing China’s "community with a shared future for mankind" and India’s "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The world is one family." He emphasized the importance of China and India working together for regional stability and economic growth.

Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $138.5 billion, with deepening partnerships across multiple sectors. Xu acknowledged the historic October 2024 meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan as a step toward reinforcing ties.

Mr. Surendra Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department of West Bengal, echoed similar sentiments in his speech. He emphasized the centuries-old cultural and economic exchanges between India and China, stating that both civilizations share a unique responsibility in fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development. West Bengal, he noted, has historically played a key role in facilitating trade and cultural links with China, with Buddhist heritage sites serving as a testament to the deep-rooted spiritual connection between the two nations.

Concluding the event, Xu reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and cultural engagement. "A cooperative partnership is the only right choice," he said, raising a toast to the continued friendship between China and India.