Modi-Xi Summit: India and China Chart New Course for Border Peace, Anti-Terror Cooperation at High-Stakes SCO Meet in Tianjin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025, marked a critical turning point in diplomatic relations between India and China, with far-reaching implications for global geopolitics, border stability, and regional cooperation.timesofindia.indiatimes+3
High-Level Bilateral Talks: Modi–Xi Jinping Meeting
PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping for bilateral discussions, the first face-to-face meeting since 2020’s Galwan Valley clash and Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. Both leaders reaffirmed a partnership focused on peace, mutual trust, and sensitivity, emphasizing that India and China are partners, not rivals. Modi reiterated that “peace and tranquility on border areas is essential for continued development of bilateral ties,” and acknowledged the positive momentum since last year's disengagement and resumed direct flights and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.ndtv+4
Border Peace and Territorial Issues
A major agenda of the talks was maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and avoiding recurrence of military standoffs. Both sides agreed on “using existing mechanisms and dialogue channels to resolve outstanding issues fairly, without allowing differences to become disputes.” Modi highlighted that recent disengagement has created an atmosphere of stability while the two countries “must remain attentive to distrust factors and build insurance for continued diplomatic progress”.indianexpress+3
Focus on Fighting Terrorism
PM Modi raised cross-border terrorism as a high-priority concern, stressing its impact on both India and China and urging Chinese support. China reiterated its stance to cooperate with India on counter-terrorism and pledged both nations’ understanding and assistance in tackling this issue within the SCO framework. Both leaders agreed that “cooperation against terrorism is key for regional security,” framing terrorism as a shared problem that threatens developmental progress.hindustantimes+1
Economic, Trade, and Global Context
Against the backdrop of fresh U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and continuing pressure on India over Russian oil purchases, the summit underscored the need for multilateral engagement to stabilize the global economy. Modi and Xi discussed strategies to reduce the large, persistent trade deficit, expand market access, and promote investment, with an understanding that economic collaboration would benefit the combined 2.8 billion people of both countries.economictimes+2
Broader SCO Diplomacy
Modi’s visit included meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where talks focused on strengthening India-Russia defense and trade ties and future BRICS cooperation. Additionally, PM Modi engaged with leaders from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Vietnam, exploring broader partnerships on defense, trade, green energy, and technology.hindustantimes+4
Key Statements and Outcomes
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Modi stated, “India is committed to taking relations forward with China based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity—peace on the borders is the foundation for further development”.indianexpress+2
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Xi Jinping expressed support for India as host of the 2026 BRICS Summit, signaling intent for sustained engagement and reform in global governance.hindustantimes+1
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Both leaders agreed that cooperation between their economies is crucial for global trade and that a stable relationship would ensure regional prosperity and benefit humanity at large.hindustantimes+1
Conclusion
PM Modi’s China visit for the SCO Summit 2025 delivered a substantial reset in India-China relations, with tangible outcomes on border peace, anti-terror cooperation, trade engagement, and multilateral diplomacy. The outreach demonstrated a shared commitment to stability and development within Asia and established a robust framework for addressing global challenges collaboratively.timesofindia.indiatimes+3
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-sco-summit-2025-live-updates-xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-tianjin-trump-tariffs-india-china-relations/liveblog/123609804.cms
- https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pm-modi-china-visit-live-updates-pm-modi-xi-jinping-meeting-sco-summit-in-tianjin-today-pm-modi-china-visit-galwan-clash-us-tariffs-india-russia-putin-9189398
- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-china-xi-visit-live-updates-india-russia-zelenskyy-sco-summit-putin-10221292/
- https://economictimes.com/news/india/border-trade-and-terrorism-what-modi-xi-discussed-in-tianjin/articleshow/123618073.cms
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/narendra-modi-xi-jinping-meeting-mea-vikram-misri-border-lac-101756650332829.html
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sco-summit-2025-live-updates-pm-modi-xi-jinping-meeting-vladimir-putin-tianjin-news-august-31-101756606369301.html
- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-china-visit-live-updates-sco-summit-2025-trump-tariff-war-2779395-2025-08-31
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJSqAbrauj4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McQzYjJbZug
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyCGGUOvhqM