• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Summit of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin on August 31.

• PM Modi last visited China in June 2018 to attend the SCO summit. 

• Chinese President Jinping visited India in October 2019 for the second “informal summit”.

• In the last few months, both sides have initiated 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.

Highlights of the meeting in Tianjin:

• In their wide-ranging talks, the two leaders largely focused on boosting trade and investment ties, a move that came against the backdrop of disruptions in global trade triggered by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs including a whopping 50 per cent on Indian goods.

• A stable relationship and cooperation between India and China and their 2.8 billion peoples on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity are necessary for the growth and development of the two countries, as well as for a multipolar world and a multi-polar Asia befitting the trends of the 21st century.

• Both leaders welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Kazan in October 2024. 

• They reaffirmed that the two countries were development partners and not rivals, and that their differences should not turn into disputes. 

• PM Modi underlined the importance of peace and tranquility on the border areas for continued development of bilateral relations. 

• The two leaders noted with satisfaction the successful disengagement in 2024 and the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border areas since then. 

• They expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples.

• On economic and trade relations, they recognised the role of their two economies to stabilise world trade. 

• They underlined the need to proceed from a political and strategic direction to expand bilateral trade and investment ties and reduce trade deficit.

• The two leaders noted the need to strengthen people-to-people ties through direct flights and visa facilitation, building on the resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and tourist visa. 

• PM Modi noted that India and China both pursue strategic autonomy, and their relations should not be seen through a third country lens. 

• The two leaders deemed it necessary to expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues and challenges, like terrorism and fair trade in multilateral platforms.

• PM Modi invited President Jinping to the BRICS Summit that India will be hosting in 2026.