"I believe that the China-India relationship will definitely move forward along the sound and stable track. This must also be what Dr Kotnis wished to see," the Ambassador later said in a post on X.

Expressing hope that students can contribute to the friendship between Chinese and Indian people, Xu said people-to-people friendship holds the key to state-to-state relations.

The students here today are an important link between China and India. Only by strengthening exchanges between the young people?of China and India, can the seeds of friendship take roots and?blossom, Xu said. 

The Ambassador encouraged the students of the school to visit and study in China where the students can fulfil their dreams.

China and India have a long history of cultural exchanges and mutual learning, he noted. Along the ancient Silk Road, Chinese paper-making, silk, porcelain, and tea were brought to India, and Indian singing, dancing, astronomy, architecture, and spices were introduced to China.

"There are striking similarities between Chinese Taichi and India's Yoga and between traditional Chinese medicine and India's Ayurveda. Chinese and Indian philosophies have a lot in common too. In China, Indian friends like Dr Kotnis and Rabindranath Tagore are well-known, and Indian culture such as Bollywood films and yoga is popular," he added.

The Ambassador is impressed by Indian people's interests?in China and support for?China-India relations.

The development of China and India reinforces each other. Development is the greatest common goal of both countries, Xu emphasized.

China is realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the Chinese path to modernization. India has also put forward the vision of becoming a developed country by 2047. China wants to develop well for itself and hopes India will develop well too, Xu added. 

Last year, the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai and some Chinese enterprises upgraded the facilities for this school. China is ready to provide more assistance to the school and the students within our capacity, Xu said.

"Forever cherish Dr Kotnis' contribution and his selfless love to China and hold it dear to heart," Xu posted on X.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.