The North News
New Delhi, August 31
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin on 31 August, with both leaders stressing the importance of stability and cooperation between the two countries.
Modi and Xi welcomed what they described as “positive momentum” since their last encounter in Kazan in October 2024, pointing to successful disengagement along sensitive border points and a year of relative calm.
The two leaders reiterated that India and China should see each other as partners in development rather than rivals. They said their relationship, spanning 2.8 billion people, was vital not only for their own economic growth but also for shaping a multipolar Asia and a multip⁵olar world.
Modi underlined the importance of “peace and tranquillity” along the frontier for bilateral ties to flourish, wh³ile both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary dispute. They also expressed support for the ongoing talks between their special representatives, who met earlier this month.
Beyond security, the leaders agreed to boost people-to-people exchanges, including restoring direct flights, easing visas, and supporting cultural and religious travel such as the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. On trade, they recognised the need to expand economic cooperation, address the trade imbalance, and strengthen their role as stabilisers of global commerce.
Modi stressed that India and China both value “strategic autonomy” and that their relations should not be interpreted through the prism of any third country. The two also committed to working together on global challenges including terrorism and fair trade.
India voiced support for China’s presidency of the SCO summit in Tianjin, while Xi expressed backing for India’s presidency of the BRICS summit in 2026. Modi extended an invitation for Xi to attend the meeting in India.
Modi also held talks with Cai Qi, a member of the Communist Party of China’s Politburo Standing Committee, sharing his vision for strengthening bilateral relations. Cai reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to expanding exchanges in line with the understanding reached by Modi and Xi.
