Tianjin, China – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday reaffirmed that India and China are development partners, not rivals, and emphasized that differences should not be allowed to turn into disputes. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.
Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity along the border areas for the continued growth of bilateral relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of stability along the frontier since then.
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The leaders pledged commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, building on the political perspective of overall bilateral ties and the long-term interests of their peoples. They also welcomed recent progress in the talks between the two Special Representatives and agreed to continue supporting the process.
Modi and Xi highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, including through direct flights, visa facilitation, and the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. On trade, they acknowledged the stabilizing role of the two economies in global commerce and called for expanded cooperation to address the trade imbalance.
Both leaders reiterated that India and China pursue strategic autonomy and independent foreign policies, and that their relationship should not be shaped by the influence of a third country. They agreed on the need to broaden common ground on regional and global challenges such as terrorism and fair trade.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and India are opportunities for each other’s development rather than threats. He described the two nations as important members of the Global South with a shared responsibility to promote solidarity among developing countries. He also called for strengthening trust, deepening cooperation, and pursuing a long-term perspective as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Modi noted that since his meeting with Xi in Kazan last year, bilateral relations have been on a positive trajectory, with peace maintained in border areas and preparations underway to resume direct flights. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to seek a fair and mutually acceptable boundary settlement, adding that closer cooperation between the two Asian giants would help make the 21st century a true “Asian century.”
Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Chen Min’er also attended the meeting.
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