Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, marking his first visit to China in seven years. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which also saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders.
The Modi–Xi talks, which lasted about an hour, came at a time when hefty US tariffs on Indian goods have brought the two Asian neighbours closer.
India-China Ties Linked To Welfare Of Humanity
During the meeting, PM Modi stressed that the destinies of 2.8 billion people in both countries were linked through cooperation.
“This will also pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity. We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” he told President Xi.
It was the first Modi–Xi meeting in nearly 10 months, their last interaction being at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Recalling that meeting, the Prime Minister noted that “very fruitful discussions” had provided a positive direction to New Delhi-Beijing relations.
Thaw After Years Of Tension
The Tianjin talks are being seen as a sign of thaw in India-China relations, which have been tense since the Galwan clashes of 2020. PM Modi highlighted recent progress, saying, “After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created.”
He added that both sides had reached an agreement on border management, resumed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and restarted direct flights between India and China.
Strained US Ties Push India-China Closer
The meeting also comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, largely linked to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Former diplomats and federal officials have cautioned that such punitive measures could push India closer to China, undoing years of American strategic efforts.
Experts believe Modi’s outreach to Xi reflects this changing equation. “At this juncture, India has an opportunity. We are at a time when bullying is striding the world stage, literally trying to take everyone’s lunch money for no apparent reason. India can stand up to it. India has been the balancing power both at SCO and BRICS,” said Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute.
‘Crucial For A Multi-Polar Asia’
Ahead of his China visit, PM Modi told Japanese media that strong bilateral ties with Beijing would benefit not only Asia but the wider world.
“Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity,” he said, calling India-China relations “crucial for a multi-polar Asia and the world.”
The visit comes less than two weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to New Delhi, where he held discussions with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and also met PM Modi.
