Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, signaling a potential thaw in relations after a period of tension. Modi emphasized India's commitment to advancing ties with China based on "mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity".

During the meeting, both leaders acknowledged the importance of the India-China relationship in the current global landscape. Modi highlighted that the well-being of 2.8 billion people in both nations is linked to cooperation between the two countries, which would also contribute to the welfare of humanity. Xi echoed similar sentiments, stating that it is vital for the "elephant and the dragon to walk together".

Modi also noted the positive impact of the recent disengagement of troops on the disputed border, which he said had created an "atmosphere of peace and stability". He acknowledged the agreement reached between the Special Representatives of both countries on border management as a step forward. Additionally, Modi mentioned the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the two countries, which had been stalled for five years due to Covid-related restrictions.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China and India should see each other as development opportunities rather than threats. He urged both countries to take on 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".

The meeting, which lasted approximately an hour, was attended by key officials from both sides. On the Indian side, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accompanied PM Modi, while Chinese Foreign Minister and Politburo member Wang Yi was present with President Xi.

This was the second meeting between Modi and Xi in the last ten months, the previous one being in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS summit in October 2024. These meetings suggest a willingness from both sides to stabilize the relationship after a five-year military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

While the meeting is a positive step, some Indian voices remain cautious. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari noted that China "has always betrayed us" and "cannot be fully trusted". He also raised concerns about the trade imbalance between the two countries and the need to resume patrolling by Indian soldiers.

Overall, the meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping indicates a commitment from both sides to move forward based on mutual trust and respect. The emphasis on peace and stability at the border, along with the resumption of people-to-people exchanges, suggests a desire to de-escalate tensions and explore avenues for cooperation. However, challenges remain, and the path forward will require careful diplomacy and sustained effort to address outstanding issues and build a more robust and resilient relationship.