China’s President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have declared a new phase of trust between their countries after years of strained relations, including deadly clashes on their disputed Himalayan border.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. Xi told Modi that China and India should be “partners, not rivals,” while the Indian leader said there was now an “atmosphere of peace and stability” in bilateral ties.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of global tensions. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also attending the summit, joined by more than 20 world leaders. But the gathering has been overshadowed by U.S. trade wars and geopolitical rivalries. President Donald Trump has recently imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods in response to Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, while Putin faces growing sanctions threats over the war in Ukraine.
With Washington-New Delhi ties under strain, Modi’s engagement with Xi signals a possible recalibration. Together, China and India account for more than a third of the world’s population and rank among its largest economies. Modi announced that commercial flights between the two nations—suspended since the 2020 border clashes—would soon resume, though he did not provide a timeline.
Xi urged that “both sides need to approach and handle our relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective” and stressed that “it is the right choice for both sides to be friends.”
The SCO summit itself is largely symbolic, providing a platform for leaders to align on shared concerns and common grievances. This year’s gathering, the largest since the organization’s founding in 2001, comes just days before China stages a massive military parade to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. The SCO, created by China, Russia and Central Asian states, was designed in part to counterbalance Western alliances such as NATO.
Putin received a red-carpet welcome in Tianjin, underscoring his close ties with Xi. For Tianjin’s more than 13 million residents, the summit has transformed the city. Banners and billboards line the streets, nightly light shows draw thousands to the riverfront, and roadblocks regularly halt traffic to clear the way for visiting motorcades.
The influx of dignitaries has led to crowded streets and restricted transport, with taxis and ride-hailing services suspended in the downtown area. Authorities have urged residents to limit movement and shop locally for necessities. Despite the disruptions, many locals see the event as historic and have flocked to witness the spectacle.
The Modi-Xi meeting may not resolve long-standing disputes, but it signals an attempt by Asia’s two giants to cool tensions at a time when global fault lines are widening.
