中印两国有文字可考的交往史长达2000多年。佛兴西方，法流东国，讲的是中印两国人民交往史上浓墨重彩的佛教交流。公元67年，天竺高僧迦叶摩腾、竺法兰来到中国洛阳，译经著说，译出的四十二章经成为中国佛教史上最早的佛经翻译。白马驮经，玄奘西行，将印度文化带回中国。中国大航海家郑和七次远航、六抵印度，带去了中国的友邦之谊。印度歌舞、天文、历算、文学、建筑、制糖技术等传入中国，中国造纸、蚕丝、瓷器、茶叶、音乐等传入印度，成为两国人民自古以来互联互通、互学互鉴的历史佐证。

Documented interactions between China and India date back over 2,000 years. One highlight is Buddhist exchanges, as Buddhism was introduced eastward to China from its cradle in India. In 67 AD, Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksa, the two eminent monks from India, arrived in Luoyang, China. There, they translated the Sutra of Forty-two Chapters, the first Chinese translation of Buddhist scriptures. We have stories of the white horse carrying Buddhist scriptures to China and Monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to the west. They brought Indian culture as well as Buddhist scriptures to China. During his seven expeditions, the great Chinese navigator Zheng He visited India six times and brought with him the neighborly friendship from China. Indian dance, astronomy, calendar, literature, architecture and sugar-making techniques were introduced to China, while Chinese paper-making, silk, porcelain, tea and music were spread to India. All these bear witness to a long-running history of exchanges and mutual learning between ourtwo peoples.

近代以来，中印两国人民在争取民族独立和解放的斗争中彼此同情、相互支持，共同推动了亚洲的觉醒。印度为中国反对鸦片斗争呼号，中国为印度独立运动鼓劲。在中国人民抗日战争期间，印度援华医疗队的事迹感人至深。他们的杰出代表柯棣华大夫长眠于中华大地，中国人民对他的高尚品德永记在心。

Since modern times, our two peoples have sympathized with and supported each other in our respective struggle for national independence and liberation. Together, we brought about an awakening in Asia. India lent its support to China’s anti-opium campaign, while China rooted for India’s independence movement. The Indian medical mission in China has left behind many touching stories during the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression. Doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, one outstanding representative of this medical team, was laid to rest in China. The Chinese people shall always cherish the memory of this man of great virtue.

1950年中印建交，掀开了两国关系新篇章。印度是最早承认新中国的国家之一，也是首先提出恢复中国在联合国合法席位的国家之一。中国、印度、缅甸共同倡导了和平共处五项原则，成就了国际关系史上的一个创举，是东方智慧对现代文明的杰出贡献。

The establishment of diplomatic ties in 1950 opened a new chapter in our bilateral relations. India was among the first group of countries to recognize new China and to call for the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations. China and India, together with Myanmar, initiated Panchasheela, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, an innovation in international relations and a remarkable contribution of Oriental wisdom to modern civilization.