PM Modi and Xi Jinping Emphasize Border Peace, Global Stability in Landmark Meeting
India-China Talks at a Critical Juncture
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. The discussions carried immense weight as the two leaders stressed the importance of border peace, strategic autonomy, and mutual cooperation amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts.
This meeting was the second between the leaders since both nations agreed in October 2024 to end a prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which had begun in April-May 2020 and caused bilateral relations to plummet to their lowest point since the 1962 border war.
Border Peace as a Foundation for Progress
Modi firmly conveyed India’s position that peace and tranquillity on the border are critical for the further development of bilateral ties. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with troop disengagement efforts in 2024 and reaffirmed their commitment to finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary dispute.
India emphasized that the disengagement and agreements reached by Special Representatives, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, have laid the groundwork for restoring stability along the border. Modi highlighted that India and China must continue to build ties “based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described border stability as an “insurance policy” for bilateral relations, asserting that tensions at the border directly influence diplomatic and economic engagements.
Strategic Autonomy and Global Economic Cooperation
The leaders also discussed global economic challenges, particularly disruptions caused by U.S. trade and tariff policies. Xi Jinping described the global scenario as “fluid and chaotic” and emphasized the need for China and India, as key Global South powers, to defend international fairness, multilateralism, and a multipolar world.
The Indian readout confirmed that both nations recognize their critical roles in stabilizing world trade and are exploring measures to reduce trade deficits and expand bilateral investments. Modi reiterated that India-China relations should not be viewed through the lens of any third country, underscoring India’s strategic autonomy.
Reviving Bilateral Mechanisms and Confidence-Building Measures
Following their earlier meeting in Kazan, Modi and Xi revived multiple mechanisms for normalizing bilateral relations and improving border management. Initiatives include:
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Resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
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Tourist visa facilitation for Chinese nationals
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Expanded people-to-people exchanges through increased flights and visa programs
The leaders also welcomed Special Representatives’ recent agreements, including an “early harvest” in boundary delimitation, signaling tangible progress toward resolving longstanding territorial disputes.
Diplomatic Symbolism: Modi’s Visit Amid US Tariff Tensions
This visit carried added diplomatic weight due to strained India-US ties, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods and impose a 25% punitive levy on Russian oil imports. The timing further emphasized India’s efforts to diversify partnerships, balance global powers, and assert leadership in multilateral forums like the SCO.
Xi’s Call for Cooperation: “Dragon and Elephant Dance Together”
Xi Jinping framed India-China ties as pivotal for Asia’s future, calling for strengthened trust, strategic communication, and mutual accommodation. He urged both nations to act as “partners who enable each other’s success” and emphasized the vision of the “dragon and elephant dancing together,” a phrase symbolizing the potential of Asia’s two largest economies working in tandem.
Regional and Multilateral Engagements
During his visit, Modi also met Cai Qi, a member of the Communist Party of China’s Politburo Standing Committee, to discuss expanding exchanges and improving bilateral ties. Modi extended an invitation to Xi to attend the BRICS Summit in India in 2026, which Xi welcomed with a pledge of China’s support for India’s BRICS presidency.
On the margins of the SCO Summit, Modi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine situation and bilateral summits. Modi’s attendance also marked his first public encounter with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif since India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan earlier this year.
The SCO Summit and India’s Counter-Terrorism Push
The SCO Summit is expected to reaffirm its commitment to counterterrorism, separatism, and extremism—core principles of the bloc since its formation in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian nations. Indian officials emphasized their push for explicit condemnation of cross-border terrorism, underscoring India’s security concerns within multilateral frameworks.
Conclusion: A Reset in Progress
Modi’s visit signals a strategic recalibration in India-China relations after years of tension. While territorial disputes remain unresolved, this dialogue reflects a renewed willingness to pursue peaceful solutions, economic cooperation, and balanced global leadership.
India’s message was clear: border stability is non-negotiable, and strategic autonomy remains at the core of its foreign policy. If these commitments materialize into actionable trust-building measures, this meeting could mark a turning point for Asia’s geopolitics.
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