Referring to recent progress on border issues, Modi noted that “an atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement,” adding that the Special Representatives of both sides had reached an understanding on border management. He also welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the two nations, underlining that cooperation between India and China affects the well-being of nearly 2.8 billion people.

Xi Jinping, in turn, described India and China as “friends and good neighbours” and called for managing ties from a “strategic and long-term perspective.” Highlighting the shared responsibilities of the two most populous countries, Xi urged both sides to strengthen multilateralism, advance a multipolar world order, and contribute to global peace and prosperity. “It is the right choice for the dragon and the elephant to come together,” he said, stressing solidarity within the Global South.

The Modi-Xi meeting comes against the backdrop of a chill in New Delhi’s ties with Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, including additional levies linked to purchases of Russian crude oil.

India-China relations had plunged after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes but saw a turning point last year with the disengagement at Demchok and Depsang. Modi’s visit follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s talks in New Delhi earlier this month with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

The SCO Plus summit, chaired by China, is hosting 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, in its largest gathering since the bloc’s inception in 2001.

Referring to recent progress on border issues, Modi noted that “an atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement,” adding that the Special Representatives of both sides had reached an understanding on border management. He also welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the two nations, underlining that cooperation between India and China affects the well-being of nearly 2.8 billion people.

Xi Jinping, in turn, described India and China as “friends and good neighbours” and called for managing ties from a “strategic and long-term perspective.” Highlighting the shared responsibilities of the two most populous countries, Xi urged both sides to strengthen multilateralism, advance a multipolar world order, and contribute to global peace and prosperity. “It is the right choice for the dragon and the elephant to come together,” he said, stressing solidarity within the Global South.

The Modi-Xi meeting comes against the backdrop of a chill in New Delhi’s ties with Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, including additional levies linked to purchases of Russian crude oil.

India-China relations had plunged after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes but saw a turning point last year with the disengagement at Demchok and Depsang. Modi’s visit follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s talks in New Delhi earlier this month with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

The SCO Plus summit, chaired by China, is hosting 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, in its largest gathering since the bloc’s inception in 2001.