Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. During their bilateral meeting, Modi expressed that the improvement in relations between the two countries is “needed for humanity.”
A Productive Meeting
PM Modi thanked Xi Jinping for the invitation to the summit, calling their previous meeting in Kazan “productive.” He noted that the relationship has moved in a “positive direction,” highlighting several signs of a diplomatic thaw:
- Border Stability: Modi stated there is now “peace and stability on the borders.”
- Pilgrimage and Travel: The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed, and direct flights between the two countries are being restarted.
- Global Impact: The Prime Minister emphasized that cooperation between India and China serves the interests of 2.8 billion people.
Context: The U.S. Tariff Row
The meeting takes place amid rising trade tensions between the U.S. and India. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing reasons like India’s participation in BRICS and its purchases of Russian oil. In contrast, China, which also buys Russian oil, has been exempted from similar tariffs.
