Xi and Modi Pledge New Era of Trust as China-India Relations Warm at SCO Summit

After years of military tension and diplomatic freeze, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a “deepening trust” between their nations during a high level meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The summit, held in the eastern port city of Tianjin, marked Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and his first direct talks with Xi since the deadly border clashes in the Himalayas in 2020.
“China and India should be partners, not rivals,” Xi told Modi during their bilateral discussion, according to a statement released by Chinese state media.
Modi responded by calling the current moment “an atmosphere of peace and stability,” signaling a thaw in relations that have long been strained by border disputes, economic rivalry, and growing geopolitical divisions.
Historic Shift Amid Global Realignments
The meeting is being hailed as a turning point in Asia’s power dynamics, with both sides agreeing to restore direct flights between India and China a significant gesture, given that air links were suspended after the Galwan Valley clashes that left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers dead.
Though no timeline was given, the flight resumption is being seen as a symbolic move toward normalization.
Both nations are navigating increasingly complex global relationships. While India’s ties with the United States have grown over the past decade, recent U.S. sanctions and tariffs especially over India’s continued oil trade with Russia have cooled that partnership.
In contrast, Russia’s Vladimir Putin also present at the SCO summit maintains strong ties with both China and India, using the bloc to push back against Western led isolation efforts over his war in Ukraine.
Modi’s Pivot?
Analysts say Modi’s warming stance toward Xi may be strategic aimed at balancing India’s foreign policy amid uncertain Western support.
“India is recalibrating. This meeting shows that Modi is willing to engage with Beijing pragmatically, even if deep-rooted issues remain unresolved,” said Dr. Mira Chawla, a South Asia specialist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Despite the positive optics, longstanding issues including the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC), China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean, and India’s concerns about the Belt and Road Initiative remain sensitive.
Yet for now, both leaders appear willing to focus on diplomacy over confrontation.
SCO Summit Overshadowed by Trade and War
This year’s SCO summit is dominated by global tensions including rising trade wars with the United States, growing BRICS influence, and the war in Ukraine. Over 20 world leaders are attending, making it one of the most watched gatherings in a divided geopolitical landscape.
Putin, facing further sanctions over his military campaign in Ukraine, used the forum to rally support from Asian allies, while Xi and Modi’s meeting served as a reminder of how quickly alliances can shift.