New Delhi | August 31, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with China on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity during a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. This marks PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, underscoring the significance of the dialogue.

During the talks, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that cooperation between India and China is not only vital for their respective nations but also for the welfare of 2.8 billion people. He emphasised that both countries must pursue their strategic autonomy independently and avoid viewing bilateral ties through the lens of a third country. “We are committed to advancing our relations based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity. Our cooperation is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two countries. This will also pave the way for the welfare of all humanity,” Modi said.

Both leaders described the meeting as “fruitful,” noting the positive momentum in bilateral ties since their last meeting in Kazan last year. Modi stressed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the disputed border, acknowledging the progress made in troop disengagement and border management. He credited the efforts of Special Representatives from both sides for reaching agreements that have fostered an atmosphere of peace and stability.

On economic cooperation, Modi and Xi underlined the stabilising role their economies play in global trade. They agreed on the need to expand bilateral trade and investment while working to address trade imbalances. Modi further reiterated India’s commitment to pursuing economic relations with a focus on reducing the deficit and enhancing mutually beneficial opportunities.

The Prime Minister also raised the issue of terrorism, calling it a global menace that requires joint efforts to eliminate. He urged China to cooperate more closely in addressing this shared security challenge.

For his part, President Xi described India and China as the world’s two most populous nations and key members of the Global South. He called for deeper friendship and cooperation, stressing that the “Dragon and the Elephant” must come together in the interest of global stability and growth.

In addition to the bilateral talks, Modi expressed India’s support for China’s Presidency of the SCO and extended an invitation to Xi to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host in 2026. Xi welcomed the invitation and assured China’s support for India’s upcoming BRICS Presidency.

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also met Cai Qi, a senior Chinese Communist Party official, and shared his vision for India-China relations. Cai reaffirmed China’s commitment to expanding exchanges and implementing the consensus reached by the two leaders.

Both nations concluded by reiterating their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution to the long-standing boundary question. The leaders agreed to continue supporting the work of Special Representatives to ensure a lasting solution that serves the long-term interests of both peoples.