BENGALURU: India and China together can address challenges the West cannot, China’s consul general to India in Mumbai, Qin Jie, said Sunday, calling for deeper cooperation between the two neighbours amid signs of a cautious thaw in the bilateral relations. “The future between China and India is very promising. We have a huge population, a big market, and great wisdom. We can solve many problems that the West cannot.”“Most importantly, our people are kind, cooperative, and willing to help each other. That is the most fundamental strength,” Jie ad further added.Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of an event organised by India-China Friendship Association (ICFA) in Bengaluru to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Chinese envoy said the city holds a special advantage because of its climate, urban development, and thriving tech ecosystem.“It is an attractive hub for professionals. We visited a company from China’s Anhui province which has been doing business in Karnataka for about 10 years. It employs over 3,000 people and is doing very well,” he said.There are currently about 1,000 Chinese nationals living in Karnataka, Jie said, adding that the number is expected to rise. in the coming years.India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens in July after a five-year hiatus. Consular officials said tourism and business travel are likely to increase following the restoration of a direct flight between the two countries.He noted that the number of Indians returning to China after the Covid-19 pandemic is growing.“Our consulate in Mumbai, which also covers Karnataka, has already issued more than 80,000 visas in 2025. By the end of the year, that number could exceed and touch 3,00,000 across our consulates and embassies,” Jie said.A photo exhibition on China’s 1945 victory over Japan was also held as part of the event commemorating the diplomatic milestone between the two neighbouring nations.
