The leaders of China and India say trust between their countries is growing after years of strained relations, including a long-standing border dispute.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the port city of Tianjin. This was Modi’s first visit to China in seven years.
Xi emphasized that the two nations should act as “partners, not rivals,” while Modi said there is now an “atmosphere of peace and stability” between them.
The summit, which brings together more than 20 world leaders, is taking place against a backdrop of global trade tensions. The US has imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods over its continued purchase of Russian oil, while Russia faces sanctions for its war in Ukraine.
As India’s ties with the US face challenges, Modi’s meeting with Xi suggests closer cooperation between the two Asian giants, both of which are among the world’s largest economies.
In a significant step, Modi announced that direct flights between India and China—suspended since the deadly border clashes in 2020—will resume, though no timeline was given.
Xi urged both nations to view their relationship with “a long-term perspective” and said friendship is the right path forward.
A Symbolic Summit with Global Attention
The SCO, created in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations, is seen as a counterbalance to Western alliances such as NATO. This year’s gathering is the largest since its founding, with Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several observer states also present.
Tianjin has been transformed by the summit, with banners, light shows, and large crowds gathering near landmarks like the Jiefang Bridge. Security is tight, with roadblocks, suspended taxi services, and heavy police presence across the city. Authorities have even urged residents to limit travel and shop locally while the summit is underway.
Despite the restrictions, many locals are excited to witness what is being described as a historic moment in global diplomacy.