China and India are stepping up efforts to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.

April 1 marked the milestone anniversary, with both countries organizing a series of activities to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation, including cultural and educational events.

During a commemorative reception in Kolkata on Monday, Chinese Consul-General Xu Wei said people-to-people exchanges have played an important role in promoting the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

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He underscored the significance of growing personnel exchanges and robust trade between the two countries, emphasizing the need for both sides to view each other as partners, contributing to each other's success.

Bilateral trade volume in goods amounted to $138.5 billion last year, he said, adding that the two countries' economic output accounts for half of Asia's economy and one-fifth of the global economy.

The two sides are actively implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Xu said, adding that bilateral relations are developing good momentum.

Attending the reception were representatives from the government, academia, the Indian Chinese community and Chinese companies in India.

Surendra Gupta, a senior official in the West Bengal government who attended the event, said that as major economies China and India share the common responsibility of promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.

Xu said win-win cooperation has always been the main theme of China-India relations, and a healthy and stable bilateral relationship is not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also of great significance to the development of Asia and the world.

An international conference was held on Tuesday and Wednesday at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal to mark 75 years of China-India diplomatic ties and 101 years since Indian scholar Rabindranath Tagore's first visit to China.

Co-organized by the university — founded by Tagore — and the Chinese consulate general in Kolkata, the event welcomed nearly 20 Chinese scholars and artists, the largest such delegation to India in years.

In 1924, Tagore, invited by the Chinese Cultural and Literary Society, spent nearly 50 days in China, delivering speeches that deepened cultural ties between the two neighbors.

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Beyond Tagore's legacy, scholars at the conference were to discuss broader aspects of bilateral exchanges, where "many common points will emerge", said Avijit Banerjee, head of the university's Department of Chinese Language and Culture. The event will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various areas, he added.

Manoranjan Mohanty, former director of the Developing Countries Research Centre at the University of Delhi, said cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions provide new insights and frameworks for resolving disputes.

In January, China said it agreed with India to resume direct flights. Mohanty said restoring direct flight services and revitalizing cultural ties, tourist visas and scholar exchange programs would further strengthen bilateral relations.

Aparajit Chakraborty is a freelance journalist for China Daily.

Contact the writers at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com