On August 31, 2025, the world watched closely as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Tianjin, China, for a high-stakes bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This was Modi's first visit to China since the border standoff that erupted in May 2020, and it marked a significant moment in the ongoing reset of relations between Asia's two most populous nations.
The mood was one of cautious optimism. According to the Indian Express, Modi landed in Tianjin after a two-day stop in Japan and was greeted by President Xi with a warm welcome. The two leaders, joined by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, sat down for talks that were scheduled to last about forty minutes—but the implications of their conversation could echo for years.
"We are committed to take bilateral ties forward based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity," Prime Minister Modi stated during the meeting, as reported by The Times of India. He emphasized that the welfare of 2.8 billion people—the combined populations of India and China—was intrinsically linked to the health of their bilateral relationship. "Cooperation between India and China will pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity," Modi added, highlighting the broader significance of their engagement.
President Xi Jinping echoed this sentiment, calling it "the right choice for the two countries to be friends." In his opening remarks, Xi remarked, "It is a great pleasure to meet you again, Mr Prime Minister. I welcome you to China for the SCO summit. Last year, we had a successful meeting in Kazan." He went further, stating, "China and India are two ancient civilizations in the East. We are the world's two most populous countries, and we are also important members of the Global South."
The shadow of the border standoff in eastern Ladakh loomed over the meeting. The two leaders recalled their last encounter in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, which led to the disengagement of troops from two key friction points. This breakthrough, according to Hindustan Times, helped create "an atmosphere of peace and stability" along the disputed frontier. Modi noted, "After the disengagement at the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability is now in place. Our Special Representatives have also reached an agreement on border management."
Indeed, the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra—a sacred pilgrimage route—and the revival of direct flights between India and China were cited as tangible outcomes of the improving relationship. These steps, as reported by The Indian Express, signal a willingness on both sides to restore people-to-people ties and economic exchanges that had suffered during the years of tension.
The talks were not just about the past; they were also about charting a new course. Modi invited President Xi to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host in 2026, a gesture that Xi graciously accepted, expressing China’s support for India’s upcoming BRICS presidency. The leaders also agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries with a calendar of joint activities, underscoring a shared commitment to a strategic and long-term vision.
But beneath the cordiality, both sides were clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Modi stressed the importance of strategic autonomy and independent diplomacy for both nations, stating, "India and China both pursue strategic autonomy and their relations should not be seen through the lens of a third country." This was a subtle but pointed reference to the pressures of great power rivalry and the need to insulate bilateral ties from external influences.
President Xi, for his part, called for a multipolar world and more democracy in international institutions. "We must also step up our historic responsibility to uphold multilateralism, work together to bring about a multipolar world and more democracy in international relations, and to make our due contributions to peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world," he said, as quoted by The Times of India.
The context of the meeting was not lost on observers. The SCO summit itself took place in the wake of the United States imposing steep tariffs, raising the stakes for regional cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin was also present in Tianjin, adding another layer of diplomatic complexity. And, just a day before the summit, Modi had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating India’s support for peaceful efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. "We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction," Modi posted on X, according to The Indian Express.
Indian officials, however, were careful not to frame the Modi-Xi encounter as a major bilateral summit. For New Delhi, this was a meeting on the margins of a multilateral event—a necessary but not extraordinary engagement. Still, the symbolism of the two leaders meeting in person, after years of strained ties and border tensions, was not lost on either side.
Both leaders recognized the need to "expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues and challenges, like terrorism," as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Special Representatives framework on the boundary question remains the principal channel for managing the delicate border issue, and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution.
In the months leading up to this meeting, there had been a flurry of diplomatic activity. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent trip to India, and his meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Doval, had paved the way for the resumption of border trade and the reopening of direct flight services. As Hindustan Times noted, both sides have been "initiating a series of measures to reset their ties that came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020."
Ultimately, the Tianjin meeting did not produce any dramatic breakthroughs or headline-grabbing agreements. But it did signal a mutual willingness to keep talking, keep cooperating, and keep the peace—at least for now. As President Xi put it, "Both China and India are at a critical stage of development and revitalization. They should focus on development as their greatest common denominator, supporting, promoting, and achieving mutual success."
With so much at stake for their countries—and for the wider region—the world will be watching to see whether the elephant and the dragon can, indeed, dance together for each other's success.