China urges India to unite against Hegemony amid rising US-China tensions

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and China, particularly following the US’s decision to double tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for greater cooperation between India and China. On Friday, Wang emphasized the importance of both countries working together to counteract hegemonism and power politics, stating, “Making the dragon and elephant dance is the only right choice.”

In his remarks following a National People’s Congress meeting, Wang further explained, “Supporting each other, rather than wearing each other down, and strengthening cooperation, instead of guarding against each other, is in our fundamental interests.” He also highlighted the potential benefits of a united front between the two largest Asian economies, suggesting that such collaboration could pave the way for a more democratized global order and a stronger “Global South.”

India has yet to officially comment on Wang’s statement. However, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar remarked on Thursday that the government is actively working with China to establish a more predictable and positive trajectory in bilateral relations. This includes measures like resuming pilgrimages to Chinese-controlled sites, restarting direct flights, and promoting journalist exchanges.

Wang also reflected on the positive developments in Sino-Indian relations over the past year, citing military disengagement in Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok, as well as the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia’s Kazan. On the long-standing border dispute, Wang urged that it should not define the broader relationship, emphasizing that specific differences should not overshadow overall ties.

This comes amid an intensifying tariff war between the US and China, echoing the trade conflicts during Donald Trump’s presidency.