Updated on: Aug 31, 2025 12:32 pm IST
PM Modi and Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit on Sunday, emphasising the importance of India-China relations in a transforming world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met China President Xi Jinping on Sunday on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO). PM Modi and Xi Jinping both on Sunday highlighted the importance of good India-China ties, that turned sour over the past couple of years mainly due to tensions along the border, the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
PM Modi landed in China for the SCO Summit on Saturday, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. Follow SCO Summit live updates
In their opening remarks on Sunday at the delegation-level talks, PM Modi said the welfare of crores of people is linked to bilateral cooperation between India and China. Xi Jinping echoed similar sentiments and said it is vital for elephant and the dragon to walk together.
Modi-Xi meet | 5 key takeaways
– At the meet with Xi Jinping, PM Modi said India is committed to taking forward its ties with China based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. PM Modi also noted there is peace and stability along the border following last year’s disengagement process.
– The welfare of 2.8 billion people is linked to bilateral cooperation between India and China, PM Modi said and also added that direct flights between the two countries are being resumed. The prime minister also made a mention of the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was stalled since five years due to Covid-related restrictions.
– Xi Jinping said at the meet, which comes in the backdrop of both India and China facing US President Donald Trump tariffs, that it is “vital” for both the countries to be friends and good neighbours amid a changing world.
– “The World is going towards transformation. China and India are two of the most civilizational 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 Jinping said at the meet.
– Chinese President Xi Jinping said India and China must also step up to their “historic responsibility to uphold multilateralism, work together to bring about a multipolar world and more democracy in international relations, and to make true contributions to peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world.”
