Mutual trust and respect must guide India-China relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two leaders met on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China’s port city of Tianjin on Sunday.
The closely watched bilateral began with a firm handshake, signalling the next step in rapprochement between the two long-time rivals while also sending a message to US President Donald Trump, whose tariff offensive has soured Washington’s ties with both New Delhi and Beijing.
During the hour-long meeting, Modi underlined recent progress in bilateral ties, from an agreement between special representatives on the border standoff, to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the restoration of direct flights 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,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity,” he added.
Xi, on his part, welcomed PM Modi and called New Delhi a “vital friend” of Beijing. He stated that the two nations must handle ties “from a strategic and long-term perspective”.
“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,” the Chinese President said.
