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Xi, Modi Call For Stronger India-China Ties, Stress Friendship Over Rivalry

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Tianjin
  • Aug 31, 2025
  • 649

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday that it is the "right choice" for India and China to be friends and not let their border dispute define bilateral relations.

In his televised opening remarks during a crucial bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Modi said India remains committed to strengthening ties with China based on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.” He underlined that the welfare of 2.8 billion people is directly linked to cooperation between the two Asian neighbours.

Echoing similar sentiments, Xi urged both countries to adopt a "strategic" and "long-term perspective" to ensure “sustained, sound and steady” growth in ties. “India and China are cooperation partners, not rivals. It is the right choice for both to be friends, partners, and for the dragon and the elephant to dance together,” Xi said.

The Chinese leader emphasised maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and not allowing disputes to overshadow overall ties. He also called for India and China to jointly uphold multilateralism, promote a multipolar world, and advance democracy in international relations — remarks seen as a veiled criticism of U.S. unilateral trade policies.

Modi noted that peace has largely prevailed along the border since last year’s disengagement, while announcing the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He also welcomed progress made through the “Special Representatives” mechanism on boundary management.

The prime minister congratulated Xi on China’s successful SCO presidency and said he looked forward to enhanced cooperation through the forum. Modi’s visit, the first in seven years, comes amid global economic uncertainties triggered by U.S. tariffs, and is seen as a pragmatic recalibration of India’s foreign policy.

The SCO summit also provides Modi the chance to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders. “Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders,” Modi wrote on his arrival in Tianjin.