After significant strains on their relations following the deadly 2020 border dispute, the leaders of India and China met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin. According to reports, the meeting lasted for about 55 minutes. It was preceded by the leaders making opening statements. Host Chinese President Xi Jinping began by saying: “China and India are two ancient civilizations in the East. We are the world’s two most populous countries, and we are also important members of the Global South. We both shoulder the historical responsibility of improving the well-being of our two peoples, promoting the solidarity and rejuvenation of developing countries, and promoting the progress of human society. It is the right choice for both countries to be friends who have good neighborly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant dance together.”
Modi opened by stating: “Last year, we had a very meaningful discussion in Kazan, which gave a positive direction to our relations. An atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement at the border. Our Special Representatives have reached an understanding on border management. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed, and direct flights between the two countries are also being started. The cooperation between us is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two nations. This will also pave the way for the welfare of all humanity. We are committed to further strengthening our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.”
The readouts from the meeting were similar, and stressed that both countries should strive to work together for the good of both. The Chinese readout noted that Xi said China and India are each other’s development opportunities rather than threats. As long as the two countries keep to this overarching direction, other issues in their relations will fall into place and there will be steady and sustained progress in bilateral ties. They should not allow the boundary question to define the overall China-India relations, Xi said.
The Indian readout emphasized that both leaders welcomed the “positive momentum and steady progress” in bilateral relations since their last meeting and “reaffirmed that the two countries were development partners and not rivals, and that their differences should not turn into disputes.” Cooperation between India and China and their 2.8 billion peoples is necessary for the growth and development of the two countries, as well as for a multipolar world.
It went on that Modi “underlined the importance of peace and tranquility on the border areas” and that both leaders “noted with satisfaction the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border areas since then.” Modi also invited Xi to the BRICS Summit that India will be hosting in 2026. Xi thanked Modi for the invitation and offered China’s support to India’s BRICS Presidency.
The Chinese readout adds that Modi said India-China cooperation will make the 21st century a genuine “Asian century.”
