After years of strained relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting in China. The talks, which took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, were seen as a step toward de-escalating tensions and building a united front against external economic pressures, particularly from the United States.
A Shift in Geopolitical Winds
In a significant diplomatic event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years.4 The meeting comes at a pivotal time, just days after the US imposed new, punishing tariffs on Indian goods.5 Analysts suggest that this shared economic pressure from the West is a major factor driving the two Asian giants toward a tentative reconciliation.
The bilateral talks, a key event at the SCO summit, demonstrate a show of “Global South solidarity” against what is perceived as Western-led economic coercion. China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has openly stated that Beijing “firmly stands with India” against the “abuse of tariffs” by the US, a clear sign of their mutual alignment on this issue.
Rebuilding Trust on Trade and Borders
The meeting between the two leaders builds on recent efforts to thaw relations, which have been strained since deadly border clashes in 2020. A key breakthrough came last year when both sides reached an agreement on patrolling their contested border, leading to a de-escalation of military tensions.
The agenda for the Modi-Xi talks was broad, focusing on:
- Trade and Investment: Both countries are seeking to reduce the significant trade deficit that favors China and to explore new areas of economic cooperation.
- Border Issues: Despite recent progress, the long-standing border dispute remains a sensitive issue that requires a new “equilibrium,” according to Sino-Indian relations expert Manoj Kewalramani.
- Connectivity: The recent agreement to resume direct flights is a major step toward improving people-to-people and economic ties.
- Security: Modi is expected to raise concerns about cross-border terrorism, a reference to a recent attack in Indian Kashmir.
The meeting also saw both countries agree to strengthen their cooperation within multilateral frameworks like the SCO, G20, and the UN. This move signals their intent to collaborate on global issues and jointly advocate for a “more just and equitable global governance system.” The diplomatic discussions are seen as a strategic effort to present a united front and assert their influence on the world stage, independent of Western-led blocs.
