PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Reaffirm Partnership at SCO Summit in Tianjin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Sunday
Tianjin, August 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on Sunday, with both leaders affirming that India and China are “development partners, not rivals,” and that differences must not be allowed to turn into disputes.
The two leaders welcomed the positive momentum in ties since their last meeting in Kazan in October 2024 and stressed that stable relations between India and China — home to 2.8 billion people — were essential not only for their development but also for a multipolar Asia and world order.
Modi underscored the importance of peace and tranquility along the border for progress in bilateral relations, noting the successful disengagement achieved last year. Both sides reiterated commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue, acknowledging the progress made in the recent Special Representatives’ talks.
On economic relations, Modi and Xi underlined the need to reduce the trade deficit and expand investment ties. They highlighted the stabilizing role of India and China in global trade and agreed to deepen cooperation in multilateral forums on issues like terrorism and fair trade.
The leaders also called for strengthening people-to-people exchanges through more direct flights, visa facilitation, and religious tourism, building on the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
Reaffirming their pursuit of strategic autonomy, Modi said India-China ties should not be seen through the prism of any third country. He expressed support for China’s SCO presidency and invited Xi to the BRICS Summit India will host in 2026. Xi thanked Modi for the invitation and pledged China’s support.
Later, Modi met Cai Qi, a senior Politburo Standing Committee member of the Communist Party of China, and sought his support in implementing the leaders’ vision for stronger bilateral ties. Cai reiterated China’s commitment to expand exchanges and cooperation.
