New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China on 31 August 2025, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Leaders’ Summit in Tianjin.
The meeting marked a continuation of diplomatic engagement following their previous interaction in Kazan in October 2024. Both leaders welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared vision that India and China are development partners, not rivals. They emphasised that any differences between the two nations should not escalate into disputes.
Prime Minister Modi and President Xi underlined that a stable relationship and cooperation between India and China—representing 2.8 billion people—was essential not only for the growth and development of both nations but also for shaping a multi-polar Asia and world, aligned with the trends of the 21st century.
Border Stability and Boundary Resolution
Highlighting the importance of peace and tranquillity in border areas, Prime Minister Modi stressed that stability in these regions remains critical to the continued advancement of bilateral relations. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the successful disengagement in 2024 and the ongoing maintenance of calm along the border since then.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the long-standing boundary issue, emphasising a political approach that prioritises overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of their populations. They acknowledged the key decisions reached during the recent Talks between the two Special Representatives, agreeing to continue supporting their efforts.
Expanding People-to-People and Economic Ties
The leaders also discussed the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections, including through the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, easing of tourist visa policies, and the potential introduction of direct flights to facilitate travel.
On economic cooperation, both sides recognised the strategic role of their economies in stabilising global trade. They agreed on the need to advance trade and investment relations by approaching it from a political and strategic perspective, with a focus on reducing the trade deficit and expanding bilateral commerce.
Strategic Autonomy and Global Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India and China both pursue strategic autonomy, and their relationship should not be viewed through the lens of third countries. The two leaders discussed the importance of broadening common ground on regional and global matters, including counter-terrorism and fair trade practices within multilateral forums.
Modi extended India’s support for China’s Presidency of the SCO and the successful conduct of the Tianjin Summit. He also invited President Xi to participate in the BRICS Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. President Xi expressed his gratitude for the invitation and conveyed China’s support for India’s upcoming BRICS Presidency.
Meeting with Senior Chinese Leader Cai Qi
In a separate engagement, Prime Minister Modi also met with Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. During the meeting, Modi shared his vision for the future of India-China relations and sought Cai’s support in realising the goals outlined by both heads of state. In response, Cai reiterated China’s willingness to enhance bilateral exchanges and to further develop the relationship in line with the consensus reached by the two leaders.