New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, expressing India’s commitment to strengthen ties with China on the principles of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. In his opening remarks, President Xi Jinping underlined the importance of closer ties, saying it is vital for India and China to be “friends and good neighbours.” He stressed the symbolic significance of “the Dragon and the Elephant coming together,” calling both nations ancient civilizations and the world’s two most populous countries.
During the meeting, PM Modi highlighted that the disengagement at the border had helped create “an atmosphere of peace and stability” between the two countries. He recalled their earlier talks in Kazan last year, calling them “fruitful discussions” that had set a positive direction for bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the significance of people-to-people engagement, mentioning the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the restoration of direct flights between India and China.
“The interests of 2.8 billion people in both countries are connected with our cooperation,” Modi said, adding that such cooperation would also contribute to “the welfare of the entire humanity.”
Xi calls for friendship
Xi also highlighted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. “We must handle this relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective,” he said. The Chinese President urged both nations to shoulder historic responsibilities by upholding multilateralism, advancing a multipolar world, and working for peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond.
This marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, set against a backdrop of strained India-US ties following President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Indian exports. The SCO Plus summit, hosted by China as this year’s rotating chair, has brought together 20 foreign leaders. Besides India and China, the bloc’s members include Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.
Leaders gather for SCO Plus
This marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, set against a backdrop of strained India-US ties following President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Indian exports. The SCO Plus summit, hosted by China as this year’s rotating chair, has brought together 20 foreign leaders. Besides India and China, the bloc’s members include Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.
