Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tianjin, China, marks a turning point in India-China relations. This is his first visit to China in seven years, and it comes after one of the most difficult phases in bilateral ties, following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. On Sunday, Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and sent a clear message: India is committed to improving relations with China.
This was Modi’s second meeting with Xi in the last 10 months — the first was at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. Interestingly, what was supposed to be a 40-minute discussion in Tianjin lasted 55 minutes, reflecting the seriousness of both sides in addressing the state of their relationship.
The symbolism of this visit is important. It shows that despite years of mistrust, both countries are willing to engage, at least cautiously, in the interest of stability.
PM Modi’s arrival in Tianjin comes at a very delicate time. On the one hand, India’s relations with the United States are under strain because of Washington’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports. The US claims that India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil is indirectly funding the Ukraine war, an accusation New Delhi has firmly denied. India has said again and again that its energy security choices cannot be dictated from outside, and that it will always act in its national interest.
On the other hand, China has used this opportunity to show support for India. Beijing has publicly criticised US tariffs and trade restrictions, with its ambassador in New Delhi calling such moves “unfair” and “bullying.” At a time when India is facing pressure from the West, this show of solidarity from Beijing carries weight.
Against this backdrop, Modi’s visit to China takes on greater meaning. It is not simply about bilateral relations — it is about navigating a global order that is becoming increasingly multipolar. Both India and China are under pressure from the US, and this shared experience may be creating a new, if cautious, space for cooperation.
During their meeting, Modi congratulated Xi on hosting the SCO Summit and confirmed that direct flights between India and China would soon resume. He also highlighted progress on the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and stressed that peace on the border has been maintained during the disengagement process. “With cooperation between our nations, the interests of 2.8 billion people are associated — this is needed for humanity,” Modi said.
It would be wrong to describe this visit as a full reset of India-China relations. The wounds of Galwan, the deep mistrust over the border, and China’s close partnership with Pakistan remain serious challenges. Trade imbalances are also a concern, with India importing far more from China than it exports.
However, what Tianjin shows is that both sides are willing to take cautious steps forward. For India, this is about sending a message of strategic independence: New Delhi will engage with Beijing even as it strengthens ties with Washington, Tokyo, and Europe. For China, it is about ensuring that tensions with India do not push New Delhi permanently into the US camp.
This is why the words Modi used are significant. He spoke of “mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity” as the foundation of future ties. These are carefully chosen terms, aimed at signalling that while India is open to cooperation, it expects China to respect its core concerns — especially on the border issue.
It is also important to note the timing. Modi’s visit to China comes right after his trip to Japan, where he strengthened ties with one of Beijing’s main rivals in Asia. This balancing act reflects India’s long-standing policy of multi-alignment: keeping channels open with all major powers without committing fully to any one camp.
ALSO READ: How technostress is affecting Gen Z’s mental health
ALSO READ: Trump’s tariffs on India take effect: Sectors impacted and exemptions explained
In opinion, Modi’s China visit should be seen as a step towards stability rather than friendship. India is not rushing into China’s embrace, nor is Beijing expecting that. What both sides want is to manage tensions, reduce friction, and avoid open confrontation.
The US tariffs have created an unusual situation where India and China now have overlapping interests. Both countries are resisting Washington’s pressure, both want more room in shaping the global economic order, and both realise that conflict between them would only weaken their position.
But challenges remain. China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea, its closeness with Pakistan, and the unresolved border disputes will continue to test the relationship. For India, caution will be the keyword — engaging China without compromising its own strategic autonomy.
In the bigger picture, though, the Tianjin meeting matters. It shows that diplomacy is not dead, even between rivals. If Modi and Xi can keep the dialogue alive and manage differences, it will not just benefit the 2.8 billion people of India and China, but also bring some stability to an uncertain world.
For now, this is not a breakthrough — but it is a beginning.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash