‘Mutual trust, respect and sensitivity’: PM Modi meets Xi Jinping, sets contours of India-China ties | Full text

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting on Sunday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China’s Tianjin city. This marked their first meeting in about 10 months and came amid efforts to stabilise and reset the often-fraught India-China relationship. PM Modi landed in China on Saturday on his first visit to the country in seven years.

During the talks, PM Modi and President Xi called for enhanced cooperation in the evolving geopolitical situations. PM Modi called for renewed push to India-China ties based on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity”.

On his part, Xi urged both nations to approach their bilateral ties from a “strategic heights and long-term perspective” to ensure sustained, sound, and steady development. He emphasised the importance of upholding multilateralism and working together to promote a multipolar world with greater democracy in international relations. Xi’s remarks also echoed concerns over unilateral policies, apparently referencing recent US trade measures.

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The summit meeting was especially notable given the backdrop of recent tensions in India-US relations, triggered by Washington’s imposition of tariffs on Indian exports, including taxes on Indian crude oil imports from Russia. Against this backdrop, India and China showed openness to pursue cooperative engagement and dialogue.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China was his first in seven years and signified India’s intent to engage constructively with its neighbor. Both nations discussed ways to improve economic cooperation, ensure peace along their disputed border, and strengthen diplomatic communication. The meeting followed recent steps including the resumption of border trade and direct flight connectivity agreed upon during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India in August.

India’s external affairs ministry released the text of PM Modi’s initial remarks at the bilateral summit with Xi. Here’s what PM Modi said:

Excellency,

I express my heartfelt gratitude to you for our warm welcome. We had very fruitful discussions in Kazan last year. Our relations have found a positive direction.

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An atmosphere of peace and stability prevails after the disengagement on the border. Agreements have been reached between our Special Representatives regarding border management. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed. Direct flights are also being resumed between the two countries.

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 furthering our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.

Excellency,

I congratulate you very much on China’s successful chairmanship of the SCO. Once again, thank you heartily for the invitation to visit China and for our meeting today.