Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President of China, Xi Jinping during Official Reception for Heads of States/Heads of Governments at SCO Summit at Tianjin, in China on August 31, 2025.
India-China Ties Advance at SCO Summit
Tianjin: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, solidified progress in their nations’ relationship by reinforcing border stability and committing to deeper cooperation grounded in mutual trust.
Building on last year’s disengagement along their shared border, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the sustained peace and endorsed recent agreements by their Special Representatives to manage the boundary question, aiming for a fair and mutually acceptable resolution that serves the long-term interests of their 2.8 billion citizens. Their dialogue, following a productive meeting in Kazan in October 2024, framed India and China as development partners rather than rivals, emphasising that their differences should not escalate into disputes.
The leaders highlighted the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the planned restart of direct flights as significant steps to strengthen people-to-people ties, with visa facilitation and tourism identified as priorities to deepen cultural exchanges. Economically, they recognised the potential of their combined populations to stabilise global trade, stressing the need to expand bilateral trade and investment while addressing India’s trade deficit with China through a strategic, politically informed approach.
Modi emphasised the importance of strategic autonomy, urging that their relationship be shaped independently of third-country perspectives, while both leaders agreed to align on regional and global challenges, such as promoting fair trade in multilateral forums.
The Indian Prime Minister also raised cross-border terrorism as a priority issue affecting both nations, seeking mutual support to combat it, with China expressing understanding and offering cooperation on the matter. This exchange comes against the backdrop of earlier tensions within the SCO framework, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s refusal to sign the joint statement at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 26, 2025, due to disagreements over references to terrorism.
During the summit’s welcoming banquet along Tianjin’s Haihe River, Xi articulated ambitious expectations for the SCO, urging member states to forge consensus and craft a development blueprint amid rising global uncertainties. He underscored the organisation’s role in fostering regional stability, strengthening solidarity, and amplifying the Global South’s voice, invoking a Chinese proverb about perseverance to call for a renewed commitment to the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust and practical collaboration.”As a Chinese saying goes, “In a race of a hundred boats, those who row the hardest will lead.” Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit and set out from Tianjin on a new voyage filled with hope toward an even brighter future,” he said.
Xi praised Tianjin’s historical openness and modern dynamism as a catalyst for the SCO’s sustainable growth, expressing confidence that collective efforts would elevate the organisation’s global influence and contribute to human progress.
Modi congratulated Xi on China’s SCO presidency and extended an invitation to the 2026 BRICS summit in India, which Xi accepted, pledging support for India’s hosting role.
In a separate discussion with Cai Qi, a senior Chinese official, Modi shared his vision for bilateral ties, with Cai reaffirming China’s commitment to expanding exchanges to align with the leaders’ consensus.
The advancements in the Modi-Xi dialogue, coupled with Xi’s forward-looking vision for the SCO, underscore a dual focus on bilateral reconciliation and regional leadership, positioning India and China as pivotal players in fostering global stability and multipolarity.
– global bihari bureau
