China’s VP Calls For ‘Dragon-Elephant Dance’ With India

Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar

Recently, China’s Vice President Han Zheng met with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. This meeting was very important because it showed that China wants to improve its relationship with India. During their talk, Han Zheng used a unique and interesting metaphor. He called it the “Dragon-Elephant Dance” to describe how China and India should work together. The dragon represents China and the elephant represents India. This metaphor means that both countries should move forward together in peace, balance, and cooperation just like two great creatures dancing in harmony.

Reference to the Xi-Modi Meeting in Kazan

Han Zheng spoke about the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. This meeting took place in Kazan, Russia. Han said that the meeting was a “pivotal moment” for both countries. It helped restart their diplomatic talks and move their relationship in a positive direction. After this meeting, both nations tried to improve their ties by focusing on talks, peace, and practical cooperation.

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Past Tensions Due to Galwan Valley Clash

The relationship between China and India was damaged in June 2020. This was because of the Galwan Valley clash. Soldiers from both countries fought in a deadly clash at the border in the Himalayan region. Many soldiers lost their lives, and this event increased tensions between these two Asian giants. Trust between them decreased, and talks almost stopped. Since then, both countries have tried to build back their trust and resolve the issues step by step. This recent meeting is another effort to bring back peace and cooperation.

China’s Message to India: Be Partners, Not Rivals

During this meeting, Han Zheng said something very important. He said that both countries are major developing nations. They are also key members of the Global South, which means countries that are still developing and growing their economies. Because of this, Han said that China and India should “choose to be partners that support each other’s success.”

He explained that it is better to work together rather than compete against each other. If China and India work together, they can achieve more. They can solve global problems like poverty, climate change, and economic growth. Han said that the “dragon-elephant dance” remains the right path forward. It means both countries should dance together in peace, strength, and cooperation to make the world better.

Importance of High-Level Talks

Han Zheng also said that India and China should continue to talk at high levels. Leaders of both countries should meet regularly. These meetings are important to solve small and big problems. He said that both countries must “maintain high-level engagement, promote practical cooperation, and respect each other’s core concerns.”

This means that both China and India must understand each other’s needs, borders, and internal matters. Only then can they move forward without any fights or misunderstandings. Han said that this is the best way to keep their relationship healthy, stable, and growing in the right direction.

Why China and India’s Relationship Matters

China and India are two of the world’s largest countries. Together, they have more than one-third of the world’s population. Both countries have fast-growing economies. They are powerful in technology, defence, manufacturing, agriculture, and trade. If they work together peacefully, it will help not just Asia but the entire world.

For example, both countries buy and sell goods to each other. Indian companies sell medicines, IT services, and food products to China. Chinese companies sell electronics, machines, and chemicals to India. Both countries also discuss important matters like world peace, climate change, and international trade in global meetings like BRICS and G20.

How Students Can Understand This ‘Dragon-Elephant Dance’

To understand this metaphor easily, imagine that the dragon and the elephant are friends. They are strong animals, but if they fight, the forest will get damaged. However, if they dance together, the forest becomes beautiful, balanced, and peaceful. Similarly, if China and India fight, the people of both countries will suffer. But if they work together, they can become even stronger and create peace and growth for everyone.

Future of India-China Relations

This meeting shows that China wants to reduce tensions with India. But experts say that trust-building will take time. Both countries need to solve their border problems first. Talks about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are ongoing. Military and diplomatic meetings are happening to reduce tensions.

India also wants to ensure that its security is not at risk. At the same time, India wants fair trade with China because of the huge trade gap between the two countries. For China, India is a big market and a powerful neighbour in Asia. So, peace and good relations with India are very important for China’s economic and diplomatic plans.

Moving Towards Peace and Growth

China’s Vice President Han Zheng’s meeting with S Jaishankar was an important step in improving China-India relations. The “Dragon-Elephant Dance” is a beautiful and powerful metaphor. It tells us that two strong countries can move forward together if they understand and respect each other.

This dance is not just about leaders meeting. It is also about people, businesses, students, and families of both countries living and working together peacefully. Only then can China and India achieve success, peace, and growth for their people and set an example for the whole world.