PM Modi meets President Xi in first China visit after 7 years, pledges commitment to stronger ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday in Tianjin, marking his first visit to China in seven years. The meeting, which lasted longer than planned, is being seen as an important step toward improving India-China relations after years of strained ties.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where Modi congratulated President Xi for successfully hosting the gathering. The Indian Prime Minister said that India is committed to building stronger ties with China based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.

PM Modi highlights peace, border stability and people-to-people ties

During the meeting, which was originally scheduled for 40 minutes but went on for 55 minutes, PM Modi recalled his earlier discussion with President Xi at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. He said that the two leaders had a “meaningful” exchange then, and progress has since been made on sensitive issues.

“We had a meaningful discussion in Kazan last year. There was peace and stability on the borders during the disengagement process. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has also resumed,” Modi said. He stressed that cooperation between the two nations was important not only for India and China but for the 2.8 billion people living in both countries combined. “This cooperation is needed for humanity,” he added.

PM Modi also announced that direct flights between India and China would soon resume, something that will help boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two neighbours.

He further underlined that India wants to move forward in its relationship with China in a spirit of partnership. “We are determined to take our relationship forward based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” he said. Modi thanked Xi for inviting him to the SCO Summit and said he looked forward to working together in the future.

Why this China visit is important for India and the world

This visit is PM Modi’s first to China since 2018, before the deadly Galwan Valley clash of 2020, which caused ties between the two countries to deteriorate sharply. That incident left relations strained, with both sides increasing troop presence along the border. For years, there was little high-level engagement beyond multilateral events. Modi’s latest trip, therefore, is being closely watched as a possible sign of a thaw.

The timing of the visit is also significant. It comes right after Modi’s two-day trip to Japan, and at a moment when India faces rising trade tensions with the United States. Recently, the US under President Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on India for importing Russian crude oil. Washington has accused India of indirectly supporting the Ukraine war by continuing to buy oil from Moscow — allegations India has strongly denied.

While India has maintained that its energy purchases are guided by national interest, the move has created friction with the US. In contrast, China has openly backed India in this dispute, criticising US trade policies and showing support for New Delhi’s right to make independent decisions. Against this backdrop, Modi’s visit to China is being seen as an effort to strengthen ties with Beijing at a time when global power balances are shifting.

Experts believe that better India-China relations could also bring stability to the wider Asian and global economic order. As two of the world’s largest economies, cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing can influence global supply chains, trade rules, and regional security.

Looking ahead: cautious optimism but challenges remain

Although the talks between Modi and Xi were described as warm and constructive, observers note that many challenges remain. The border dispute is still unresolved, with both countries continuing to maintain a heavy military presence in eastern Ladakh.

Trade imbalances are another point of tension. India imports large amounts of goods from China but exports far less in comparison, leading to a trade gap of billions of dollars. Additionally, India has raised concerns about security issues related to Chinese technology companies, while China has objected to India’s growing defence ties with the US and other Western powers.

However, Sunday’s meeting shows that both leaders recognise the need to keep channels of communication open. Modi’s emphasis on trust, respect, and sensitivity suggests that India is willing to reset relations, provided that China also shows flexibility on key issues such as border peace.

The announcement of resuming flights and the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are small but meaningful steps that could help build confidence between the two countries. If such people-to-people exchanges increase, they may create a more positive atmosphere for tackling bigger political and security challenges.

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A new chapter or just a beginning?

For now, Modi’s first visit to China in seven years signals a willingness to rebuild bridges. While it is too early to say whether this will lead to a lasting breakthrough, the longer-than-expected meeting and the positive words exchanged between Modi and Xi are being viewed as encouraging signs.

The world will be watching closely to see how India and China move forward from here — whether they can turn this opportunity into genuine progress, or whether old differences will resurface. What is clear, however, is that the relationship between these two Asian giants will continue to play a major role in shaping the global order in the years to come.