Strategic autonomy, peace at border, direct flights: Key takeaways from Modi-Xi meet

The bilateral between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit is over.

Modi, who held wide-ranging talks with Xi, spoke about establishing mutual trust with Beijing and the importance of the long-term relationship between the two countries.

But what are the takeaways from the bilateral between Modi and Xi?

Let’s take a closer look.

Modi congratulates China

Modi, on his first trip to China since 2018, congratulated Beijing for hosting the summit and expressed his sincere gratitude for being invited for the summit. “I congratulate China once again for hosting the SCO Summit. I express my sincere gratitude to China for the kind invitation to visit,” Modi said.

This is a sea change from July 2024 when Modi skipped the SCO summit entirely . Modi at the time said he needed to attend a sitting of India’s Parliament. India had also refused to sign the joint declaration after it failed to condemn cross-border terrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Xi, in his opening remarks, said it was a great pleasure to meet Modi again. He also referred to the successful meeting in Kazan between the two men. “It is a great pleasure to meet you again, Mr Prime Minister. I welcome you to China for the SCO summit. Last year, we had a successful meeting in Kazan,” Xi said.

More from Explainers

‘Peaceful atmosphere at border’: What PM Modi told China’s Xi at Tianjin bilateral talks China emerges the ‘winner’ from Modi, Xi’s cautious reengagement, but India won’t be displeased

Modi and Xi previously held a bilateral on the sidelines of a Brics summit in Russia in October 2024. That meeting, their first formal discussion in five years, paved the way for tensions to be eased in the India-China relationship. The two countries over the last year have steadily worked to mend their relationship, which hit a nadir after the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.

Peace at border

Modi in his remarks said that the atmosphere at the border is peaceful and pointed out that an agreement has been reached between our Special Representatives regarding border management.

“Last year in Kazan, we had very fruitful discussions which gave a positive direction to our relations. After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created,” Modi said.

Editor’s Picks

1

Explained: Why China picked Tianjin to host the SCO Summit 2

Modi, Xi, Putin at SCO Summit in China’s Tianjin: Why this is the bloc’s biggest meeting ever

The two countries had firmed up an agreement on patrolling and disengagement of troops at Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and instructed the Special Representatives for the boundary mechanism to meet to discuss further steps.

After their meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil followed by the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC).

Since then, a number of high-ranking officials including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited China. Rajnath, during his visit, had proposed a four-point border de-escalation roadmap.

Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, direct flights

Modi pointed out that the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra has resumed . The yatra, which was initially suspended at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, remained suspended after the events of the Galwan Valley clash.

Lake Mansarovar is a freshwater lake near Mount Kailash – considered the home of Lord Shiva – in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Lake Mansarovar, also known as Mapam Yumtso, is at a height of 4,600 metres. Hindus believe Lord Brahma created the lake and that it has purifying powers.

The 6,638-metre high peak is revered by Buddhists, who refer to it as “Mount Meru”, as the primary source of spiritual energy. For Jains, their Tirthankara Rishabdeva is said to have attained salvation at what they say is Mount “Ashtapada”. Talks to resume the yatra initially began in December 2024.

Modi said direct flights between the two countries are also being resumed.

“The interests of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our cooperation. This will also pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity. We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity,” Modi said.

India and China had suspended flights at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. India never created a travel bubble with China. After the Galwan Valley clash, direct flights remained suspended. However, cargo and charter flights between the two countries have continued unabated.

‘Strategic autonomy’

Modi in remarks that were clearly directed at the United States talked about how India and China both pursue strategic autonomy. He said the relationship between the two countries should not be seen through the prism of a third party. Modi said the two leaders deemed it necessary to expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues and challenges such as terrorism and fair trade on multilateral platforms.

President Xi, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of the two countries being ‘friends and good neighbours’.

“The world is going towards transformation. China and India are two of the most civilisational countries. We are the world’s two most populous countries and part of the Global South… It is vital to be friends, a good neighbour, and the dragon and the elephant to come together…” Xi said.

Xi’s remarks gain significance as both India and China experience trade tensions with the United States. While Washington and Beijing have put their trade war on pause, Trump has refused to talk to India until it stops buying Russian crude oil. New Delhi has insisted that the national interest is paramount and that it cannot be compromised. China had backed India on Trump’s tariffs, accusing America of being a bully.

Xi also pointed out that this was the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations. Both nations need to handle our relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. We must also step up to our historic responsibilities to uphold multilateralism, a multipolar world, and more democracy in international institutions and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world," Xi said.

Sources after the meeting said both countries are looking at cooperating with a ‘long-term vision’.

After the fallout of Trump’s tariffs, India is eyeing a closer relationship with both China and Russia.

With inputs from agencies