India, China strengthen ties on the sidelines of SCO summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, signaling a growing closeness between the two nations.

This meeting comes just days after the United States imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, potentially accelerating India’s thawing relations with China.

“We are committed to progressing our relations based on mutual respect, trust, and sensitivities,” Modi told Xi, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in their bilateral ties.

The SCO summit, attended by over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, serves as a platform for China and Russia to promote their vision of a multipolar world.

The bloc, comprising 42% of the global population and accounting for 23% of global GDP, has gained significant attention in recent years. Xi described the SCO as a non-Western-led power bloc that promotes a new type of international relations, which he claims is more democratic.

During their meeting, Xi emphasized the need for India and China to focus on economic development and not let border disputes define their relationship.

“As long as they remain committed to the overarching goal of being partners, not rivals, and providing development opportunities, not threats, China-India relations will flourish and move forward steadily,” Xi said.

Modi and Xi have directed their officials to take further steps to stabilize all aspects of bilateral ties, including reviving the stalled Special Representatives’ dialogue mechanism.

The recent agreement between India and China concerning patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border regions has created an atmosphere of peace and stability.

Modi highlighted that direct flights between the countries, suspended since 2020, are being resumed. Both nations have also lifted reciprocal tourist visa restrictions and allowed Indian pilgrims to visit Buddhist sites in Tibet.

The growing partnership between India and China may have implications for the US, particularly in the context of the Quad alliance.

By strengthening ties with India, Xi hopes to weaken the alliance and counterbalance its influence. However, not everyone is optimistic about the normalization of India-China ties.

Analysts believe that while the agreement is a confidence-building measure, it may not necessarily signal a broader effort to normalize relations.

The SCO summit underscores the growing importance of the Global South in international relations. With China and Russia at the helm, the bloc aims to promote a more democratic and multipolar world order.

As India and China continue to strengthen their ties, it remains to be seen how this will impact their relationships with other nations, particularly the US.

In recent months, China has taken steps to support India, with Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong stating that his country opposes Washington’s steep tariffs on India and would “firmly stand” with New Delhi. This development highlights the complexities of global geopolitics and the shifting alliances in the international community.

The meeting between Modi and Xi demonstrates a significant step in improving India-China relations, which had deteriorated following the 2020 border clashes. As both nations work towards strengthening their ties, it is likely to have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity.

“Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbors and the two largest nations on earth, will have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated.

As the SCO summit continues, the world watches with interest as these nations navigate their complex relationships and work towards a more stable and prosperous future.