Prime Minister's first visit to China since 2020 border clashes yields diplomatic breakthrough
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| PM Narendra Modi is holding talks with Xi Jinping in China. |
Tianjin, China Tamsil Shahezad Khan's Report, September 1, 2025 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit has yielded significant diplomatic progress, with both India and China reaffirming their commitment to resolving border disputes and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Historic Bilateral Meeting
In a crucial face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, both leaders emphasized that their nations are "development partners and not rivals." The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, marked Modi's first visit to China since deadly border clashes in 2020 severely strained relations between the two Asian giants.
"Relations with China have moved in a meaningful direction," Modi stated during the discussions, adding that "there is a peaceful environment at the borders after disengagement." President Xi expressed hopes that the Tianjin meeting would "further elevate" and "promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations."
Key Outcomes and Agreements
The Ministry of External Affairs announced several significant outcomes from the bilateral talks:
- Both leaders welcomed the "positive momentum and steady progress" in relations since their last meeting in Kazan, Russia in October 2024
- Reaffirmation that "differences should not turn into disputes"
- Agreement that cooperation between the world's two most populous nations is essential for global stability
- Discussion on long-term growth and development perspectives
- China's support for India in fighting terrorism, with Modi raising concerns about Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terror
Notably, Modi extended an invitation to Xi Jinping for the 2026 BRICS Summit to be held in India, signaling continued diplomatic engagement.
SCO Summit Dynamics
The 25th SCO Summit, hosted by China, brought together leaders from across Asia, with over 20 world leaders in attendance including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit demonstrated the growing influence of the regional bloc, which Xi Jinping described as setting "a model for a new type of international relations."
President Xi announced a significant financial commitment, pledging $281 million in grants to SCO member states within the year, while criticizing "bullying behavior" in the current world order—a veiled reference to Western policies.
Broader Diplomatic Engagements
Beyond the headline China meeting, Modi engaged with several regional leaders:
- Met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, emphasizing India's developmental cooperation with the Indian Ocean nation
- Held discussions with leaders from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Vietnam
- Maintained warm relations with Russian President Putin, describing their interaction as "always a delight"
US Tensions Backdrop
The summit took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States, where the Trump administration has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods—the highest in Asia—to penalize India's continued purchase of Russian crude oil. This has added urgency to India's diplomatic outreach to regional partners.
Strategic Implications
The successful Modi-Xi meeting represents a significant diplomatic achievement for both countries. With their combined population of 2.8 billion people, stable India-China relations are crucial not only for regional stability but also for global economic growth and the emerging multipolar world order.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that both leaders agreed their countries' "interests outweigh differences," suggesting a pragmatic approach to managing one of the world's most important bilateral relationships.
The summit's outcomes indicate that despite ongoing challenges, both India and China recognize the imperative of maintaining dialogue and cooperation while managing their competitive dynamics constructively.
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