TIANJIN (Realist English). Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to reassure each other on Sunday that their countries are “partners not rivals,” as the world’s two most populous nations attempt to repair strained ties.
Meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi told Modi that “China and India are co-operation partners, not rivals,” and should view each other as “development opportunities rather than threats,” according to state news agency Xinhua.
The outreach comes as Beijing aims to use the SCO gathering — attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin as well as leaders from Iran, Pakistan and Central and South-East Asia — to project regional solidarity and present itself as a steadier partner for developing nations than the Trump administration, whose sweeping trade tariffs have roiled allies and adversaries alike.
Relations between China and India have been troubled since a deadly 2020 Himalayan border clash. Xi and Modi began efforts at reconciliation last year after meeting in Kazan. Momentum has grown in recent months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian exports, straining Washington’s ties with New Delhi.
“Our co-operation is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two countries,” Modi said, making his first trip to China in seven years. He pointed to measures such as the resumption of direct flights and agreements to ease border tensions. “After the disengagement at the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability is now in place,” he told Xi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Modi stressed that both nations “pursue strategic autonomy, and their relations should not be seen through a third-country lens.” But the ministry also noted lingering trade imbalances, saying the leaders underlined the need to “expand bilateral trade and investment ties and reduce the trade deficit.”
Nirupama Rao, former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to Beijing, said the talks were “not a rapprochement in the strict sense” but signaled “a move towards stability in the relationship.”
