'Making the dragon and elephant dance is the only right choice': China Minister tells India amid US 'tariff war'

Speaking after a National People's Congress meeting, Wang reportedly said: "making the dragon and elephant dance is the only right choice".

"Supporting, instead of wearing each other down, and strengthening cooperation, instead of guarding (against) each other, is in our fundamental interests," he was quoted as saying in media reports.

He also declared that if Asia's two largest economies come together, the "democratisation of international relations and development and strengthening of 'Global South' will have a brighter future".

India is yet to respond to this statement.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said the Indian government is working with China to plot "a more predictable and positive course" for the relationship, measures for which will include resumption of pilgrimages to sites under China's control, direct flights, and exchange of journalists.

The statements are on a positive stride after military disengagement in Ladakh's Depsang and Demchok.

China's remark comes after Trump imposed more blanket tariffs on Chinese imports this week, following a similar move last month.

With these, levies are expected to hit hundreds of billions of dollars in total trade.