Tianjin (China) : In a significant diplomatic message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stressed that the future of India-China relations rests on peace along the border and must not be shaped by “third-country” perspectives.
During their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Modi underlined that both nations value “strategic autonomy” and should not allow external players to define their partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in its statement that Modi’s remarks were aimed at reinforcing India-China relations as independent of influences from the United States or Pakistan.
Highlighting the centrality of border stability, Modi linked “peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to broader bilateral cooperation. He reiterated that a fair and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue was vital for the long-term interests of both nations.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the maintenance of calm along the LAC since the October 2024 troop disengagement and backed measures from the 24th round of Special Representative-level talks held in New Delhi earlier this month.
Reaffirming that India and China are “development partners, not rivals,” Modi and Xi agreed that differences should not escalate into disputes. They also called for strengthening trade and investment ties, narrowing the trade deficit, and expanding collaboration in multilateral forums on issues like terrorism and fair trade.
The two leaders emphasised boosting people-to-people exchanges through direct flights, visa facilitation, and cultural initiatives, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
This marked the first meeting between Modi and Xi since the October 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Modi described that interaction as “meaningful,” noting it set the “right direction” for ties.
Apart from Xi, Modi also met Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, who expressed Beijing’s willingness to expand bilateral engagement in line with the consensus reached at the Modi–Xi talks.
