Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO Summit) in Tianjin, marking his first visit to China since 2018.
Modi emphasized that India-China relations must be built on the foundations of trust, respect, and sensitivity, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to advancing ties in a constructive and balanced manner.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
- Border Management Understanding: Special Representatives from both nations reached an understanding on managing the border.
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: The pilgrimage is set to resume.
- Direct Flights: Air connectivity between India and China will restart.
- Shared Interests: Modi highlighted that the aspirations of 2.8 billion people are linked to deeper cooperation.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present, underscoring the strategic weight of the meeting. The two leaders shook hands ahead of talks, signaling a positive reset in relations.
Geopolitical Context
- This was the first Modi-Xi meeting in 10 months, the last being at the BRICS Summit in Russia.
- The discussions come amid India-US trade tensions, following Washington’s 50% tariffs on Indian exports.
- Experts suggest President Trump’s aggressive trade policies may be pushing India and China into closer dialogue, despite past frictions.
- The talks also reflect New Delhi’s intent to balance ties with Beijing while resisting US pressure over Russian oil imports.
About SCO
The SCO is a 10-member regional bloc, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Together, they account for nearly 40% of the world’s population and hold vast energy resources, making it a crucial geopolitical grouping.
