Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China after seven years has received extensive coverage in Chinese state media, underscoring the importance Beijing places on improving bilateral ties. From official outlets to journalists on the ground, the message has been clear China sees India not as a rival, but as a partner in shaping the future of the Global South.
The Global Times carried a front-page report on the meeting between President Xi Jinping and PM Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, quoting Xi’s remark that “China and India are cooperation partners, not rivals.” He urged both countries to pursue steady, long-term relations through trust, communication, and “win-win cooperation.” Reiterating his oft-used metaphor, Xi described the “dragon and the elephant” dancing together as the most viable choice for both nations.
PM Modi, in a post on X, confirmed that the meeting was “fruitful,” noting that both sides reviewed the momentum in relations since their last interaction in Kazan. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace along the border and reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperation based on “mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity.”
China’s official news agency Xinhua highlighted Xi’s call for the two nations to look at ties from a “strategic and long-term perspective,” while also emphasizing that border disputes should not define the overall relationship. Xi added that Beijing and New Delhi must strengthen communication, expand exchanges, and deepen trust to protect their common interests on the global stage.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of economic turbulence, including Washington’s newly imposed 50% tariff on Indian imports and restrictions on Russian oil purchases by India. In this context, Xi framed India and China as “pillars of the Global South,” with shared responsibilities in defending multilateralism and countering protectionist policies.
Journalists at the summit echoed these themes. Zhang Xiao, a Chinese journalist fluent in Hindi who introduced herself as “Anjali,” spoke warmly about the potential for cooperation. “We are two of the largest economies and neighbours. The opportunities are immense we should join hands and work together,” she said, noting that China’s technological strength and India’s growing market could complement each other.
Wu Lei, Chief Editor at CGTN, underlined the significance of the leaders’ stance on separating border issues from broader cooperation. “Both sides are expected to resume direct flights, enhance security and economic ties, and work together under the SCO and BRICS framework,” Wu said, adding that their partnership is crucial in a shifting global order marked by unilateralism and trade wars.
The SCO Summit itself has drawn extraordinary global attention, with more than 3,000 journalists covering the event. China, hosting the summit for the fifth time, is preparing to release the “Tianjin Declaration,” a document expected to reaffirm commitments to multilateralism and global solidarity. Wu also noted the summit’s historical symbolism, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the end of the anti-fascist wars and the founding of the United Nations.
For both India and China, the meeting in Tianjin signals a cautious yet deliberate step toward recalibrating relations. By emphasizing cooperation over competition, the two Asian giants appear intent on navigating a complex geopolitical landscape together.