China’s President Xi Jinping sent warm Republic Day greetings to India’s President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. He described China and India as “good neighbours, friends and partners,” according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Xi said that over the past year, relations between China and India have “continued to improve and develop” and are of “great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity,” according to Xinhua.
‘Dragon and Elephant dancing together’
According to Reuters, citing Xinhua, Xi referred to the two nations as the “dragon and the elephant dancing together,” emphasising the importance of friendship and cooperation. He said he hoped China and India would continue to expand exchanges, work together, and address each other’s concerns to keep their relations stable and healthy.
ALSO READIndian-origin doctor in US claims ICE agent ‘harassed’ her mother ‘because of accent’
Both India and China share a long 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border that has been disputed since the 1950s. Relations soured and were damaged after a clash in 2020, when 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand combat along the Himalayan border. Since both sides heavily militarised the area.
Ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours began improving last year. Both countries held a series of high-level visits, and direct flights resumed in 2025. Trade and investment flows also increased, even as the backdrop of US foreign policy remained challenging.
US sends Republic Day greetings to India
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also extended greetings to India on Republic Day. He praised the cooperation between the US and India through the Quad, a group including Australia, India, Japan, and the US.
ALSO READTrump, Vance, Navarro stalled India trade deal? Bombshell Ted Cruz audio leak spills ‘secrets’
Rubio said the US-India relationship delivers “real results” in defence, energy, critical minerals, and the Indo-Pacific region. He added, “On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day.”
The US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs also posted a message wishing India a happy Republic Day, saying: “We look forward to seeing what the world’s two largest and vibrant democracies will achieve together in the year ahead.”
India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day this year with grand parades and official events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes to the nation on the occasion of Republic Day 2026. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Prime Minister said the day should inspire fresh energy and determination across the country. “Best wishes on Republic Day. May this occasion add renewed energy and enthusiasm in our collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat,” PM Modi wrote.
The biggest attraction of Republic Day remained the grand parade in New Delhi. The parade began at Rashtrapati Bhavan and covered a distance of around five kilometres, ending near India Gate.
Marching contingents from the Army, Navy, and Air Force took part in the parade. The celebrations also featured vibrant cultural performances, with nearly 2,500 artists presenting folk dances and music inspired by themes such as “Vande Mataram” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The chief guests for the 2026 Republic Day celebrations were European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. |
