Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Tianjin on Saturday, ahead of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The meeting, described as significant given recent strains in the relationship, marked Modi’s first visit to China in more than seven years and his first since the Galwan Valley clash of 2020.
Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in China, who greeted him with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.” Later, he attended a cultural performance by Chinese artists who showcased Indian classical music on instruments such as the sitar, santoor, and tabla, symbolizing cultural goodwill between the two nations.
During his remarks at the bilateral meeting, Modi recalled his last engagement with Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, highlighting that those discussions had set a constructive direction for bilateral ties. “After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created. An agreement has also been reached between our Special Representatives on border management. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed, and direct flights between our countries are being restored,” Modi said.
He further emphasized the importance of cooperation between India and China, noting that together they represent the aspirations of nearly 2.8 billion people. “The interests of our peoples are deeply linked. Strengthening cooperation between our nations will not only advance our development but also pave the way for the welfare of humanity as a whole,” he added. Modi underlined India’s commitment to pursuing relations with China based on “mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.”
The meeting comes at a delicate moment in global geopolitics, with China facing pressure from the United States over trade disputes and tariffs, while India continues to balance its strategic partnerships with multiple powers. The discussions between Modi and Xi are expected to shape the tone of India-China ties in the months ahead, particularly in the context of border management, economic cooperation, and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin also arrived in Tianjin for the SCO Summit and is expected to hold separate discussions with Modi. The SCO platform, bringing together major Eurasian powers, provides a critical backdrop for recalibrating regional diplomacy amidst shifting global alliances.