NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of fostering a “healthy and natural” competition between India and China, ensuring that their differences do not worsen into conflicts. In a recent podcast with Lex Fridman, PM Modi reflected on the deep-rooted historical connections between the two countries and stressed the necessity of dialogue over discord.
“Our aim is to make sure that differences do not escalate into disputes. We prioritize dialogue instead of discord,” PM Modi stated, while mentioning ongoing efforts to resolve the recent border tensions and return to normalcy.
Discussing previous confrontations, such as the border standoff of 2020, PM Modi recognized the existing tensions but noted that his recent discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping have led to positive developments. “Since my meeting with President Xi, we have witnessed a return to calm at the border. We are striving to reinstate the conditions that existed prior to 2020,” he remarked.
PM Modi also discussed the historical contributions of India and China in global trade and cultural exchange, stating that both nations “have been learning from each other for centuries” and shared a legacy of being economic powerhouses. He emphasized that “competition is not inherently negative, but it must never evolve into conflict.”
On the overarching geopolitical scenario, Modi expressed concern regarding escalating global tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the dynamics between the US and China. He criticized the ineffectiveness of international organizations in averting conflicts, asserting that “Institutions such as the UN are not fulfilling their intended roles.”
Advocating for a cooperative rather than an expansionist approach, PM Modi called on countries to adopt a development-oriented strategy. “The world is interlinked and interdependent. No nation can stand alone. The sensible option for all is to abandon conflict and embrace collaboration,” he concluded, expressing hope for a return to global stability.
