Chinese Ambassador visits M.A. Baby, the new CPI(M) general secretary
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong visited CPI(M)’s newly elected general secretary, M.A. Baby, at the party headquarters, AKG Bhawan, in New Delhi. The ambassador arrived around 3pm on April 16, and the meeting lasted for approximately half an hour. R. Arun Kumar, a newly inducted member of the CPI(M) Politburo, was also present to welcome the Chinese delegation.
According to sources at AKG Bhawan, it was a courtesy visit to congratulate the new general secretary. The Chinese Communist Party's (CPC) Central Committee’s International Department had earlier sent a message of goodwill for the recently concluded CPI(M) Party Congress held in Madurai.
“The CPC and the CPI(M) have long maintained friendly exchanges, which have played a significant role in facilitating mutual understanding and practical cooperation between our two sides,” the message read. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening China-India relations, noting that improved ties would serve the common interests of both countries and the broader region.
Notably, any mention of the CPC or India-China relations was absent from the inaugural speech delivered by veteran leader and former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat—who was acting as Politburo coordinator—at the Madurai Party Congress. Instead, Karat focused his critique on US President Donald Trump and "US imperialism", accusing them of launching new forms of economic, political, and military aggression. He also criticised the Modi government's foreign policy and extended greetings to the Communist government in Cuba—yet made no reference to China.
Ambassador Xu Feihong, who took charge in India in May 2024, has been active in promoting a narrative of India-China friendship. In March this year, he authored an article titled "India-China Can Achieve a Dragon-Elephant Tango," where he emphasised that both countries are at a critical stage of development. He argued that China’s high-quality growth and its commitment to high-standard opening up can offer India a broader market, more stable supply chains, and closer trade ties. “If connected, the two major markets will produce an effect of ‘1+1=11,’” he wrote. “China welcomes more high-quality Indian products and is more than happy to share its development dividends with India. Indian companies can strengthen 'Make in India' by investing in China,” he added.
More recently, Ambassador Xu tweeted that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens this year. “Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China,” he wrote.
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