Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held talks with Cai Qi, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), focusing on deepening political engagement and strengthening cooperation between India and China.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also met Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. During their talks, Modi reiterated his commitment to advancing India-China ties on the basis of “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.”
He welcomed progress in restoring peace along the border after disengagements, the reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and the start of direct flight connectivity between the two countries. Modi also confirmed that the two sides had reached an agreement on border management, while thanking Xi for the warm welcome and congratulating China on successfully chairing the SCO.
Xi, in turn, underlined that India and China being friends was the “right choice,” citing their shared historical and cultural roots. Calling the partnership between the “dragon and elephant” mutually enabling, he stressed that the two nations, as ancient civilizations and the world’s most populous countries, carry a shared responsibility for global well-being and progress.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, who attended the bilateral meeting, described it as an “honour” in a post on X.
This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in over seven years. Recently, both countries have resumed trade through border passes in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, and agreed to restore direct flights and update the Air Services Agreement. Visa facilitation for tourists, businesspersons, media, and other visitors is also on the agenda.
The SCO Summit will formally begin Sunday evening at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre with a reception and cultural programme. Along with India, the bloc includes China, Russia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian nations. PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit.
The gathering comes at a critical time for India, following new U.S. tariffs, including a 25% duty linked to its purchase of Russian crude oil.
