China’s Diplomatic Statement 

December 11, 2025

Abhishek Vij

Just a week ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a two-day visit. Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him with a hug at the airport and hosted a dinner in his honor. The dinner hosted by President Draupadi Murmu on the following day reflected the close ties. A five-year plan for economic ties was formulated. Sixteen trade agreements were signed between India and Russia. It was being speculated how China would react to the deepening India-Russia relationship. In an interview before his visit, the Russian President stated that India and China are our closest friends.

We attach great importance to this relationship. This importance was further highlighted during Putin’s visit, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India-Russia relations as unwavering like the Pole Star and stated that the close ties between the two countries have endured for 80 years. This atmosphere was bound to have an impact on neighboring China. Now, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gou Jiaqun, in a statement to the media in Beijing, said that China and India are not only emerging economies but also important parts of the Global South. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held recently, Modi, Putin, and Xi Jinping expressed their friendship and closeness. China welcomed Russian President Putin’s visit to India and stated that their strong trilateral relations are beneficial to regional and global peace and stability, as well as to their national interests. Regarding India-China relations, Gou said that Beijing wants to maintain a continuous and strong relationship with New Delhi.

But we consider these statements by China to be a game of diplomacy. India, a country with a population equal to or greater than China’s, has always been a thorn in China’s side. Therefore, while China does not want to lose Russian markets for its exports, it will always support Pakistan and support it in its terrorism. If China has changed its heart so much, why doesn’t it support India’s bid for veto power in the United Nations Security Council? India has not yet become a permanent member with veto power due solely to China’s opposition. Chinese leaders continue to state that they want peaceful trade relations with India, not tensions.

On the other hand, China never hesitates to claim parts of India’s Arunachal Pradesh. Even now, despite two dozen peace summits between Chinese and Indian military commanders, our armies remain facing each other from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Diplomacy is characterized by a difference between words and actions. Following this new statement, if China, understanding the changed circumstances and considering the agreements between Russia and India, wants to change its stance, India should welcome it.

India is a proponent of peace and does not want to sound the alarm of war. Even the United States is observing the changing diplomatic landscape. Experts believe that the next round of trade talks between India and the US should lead to a mutual agreement, as the US would not want to lose the boon of India’s vast market for its trade. It would also be reluctant to see India become subservient to Russia due to its rigid stance. Therefore, it is anticipated that the US will also show flexibility towards India in the near future, as is now evident from statements by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.