Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit on August 31st morning. During the meeting, PM Modi acknowledged and hailed the ‘peaceful atmosphere’ prevailing in the Sino-India border after nearly five year of military stand-off as the border situation had turned turbulent due to the Galwan clash of 2020.
PM Modi also noted that in the aftermath of the meeting with President Xi Jinping in the previous year at Kazan, Russia on the sidelines of the SCO summit, normalization of relations between New Delhi and Beijing gained huge momentum. Following the meeting between two leaders, the process of disengagement and de-escalation of troops from the border regions in Eastern Ladakh gained pace and after five years of stand-off, lately ‘peaceful atmosphere’ and stability is prevailing in the border.
“Last year in Kazan, we had very fruitful discussions, which gave a positive direction to our relations. After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created”, PM Modi reiterated during the bilateral talks. He also asserted that New Delhi and Beijing are committed to further strengthen the bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.
Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged the latest developments in the Sino-India relations such as resumption of Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, restarting of the direct flight connectivity etc. and mentioned that cooperation and cordial relations between India and China will benefit for the welfare of the entire humanity as both nations are the world’s most populous countries. “An agreement has been reached between our Special Representatives regarding border management. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed. Direct flights between the two countries are also being resumed. 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”, PM Modi affirmed.
Sharing my remarks during meeting with President Xi Jinping. https://t.co/pw1OAMBWdc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2025
Dragon and Elephant should work together in a world under transition
During the bilateral talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that it is a great pleasure to meet PM Modi again and highlighted the importance & necessity for India and China to work together especially in the current geopolitical order which is under a rapid once-in-a-century transformation. President Xi also reiterated that India and China are the oldest and prominent civilizations of the East and the two most populous countries of the world. Thus, it is crucial for both the countries to be friends, good neighbours and work together, for the benefit of Global South, developing countries and beyond. It is the right choice for India and China to be friends, said Xi Jinping.
“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 should come together,” Xi remarked during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chinese President further affirmed that as the representatives of Global South New Delhi and Beijing should resolve to champion their historic responsibilities such as upholding multilateralism, establish a multi-polar world, democratizing the international institutions and ultimately work for the peace and prosperity of Asia and beyond. President Xi thus exemplified that New Delhi and Beijing should work with a long-term strategic perspective and vision, to enable each other’s success.
#WATCH | Tianjin, China: During his bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping says, "… China and India are two ancient civilisations in the East. We are the world's two most populous countries, and we are also important members of the Global South.… pic.twitter.com/uJV595g54i
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2025
Modi-Xi bilateral talks after a massive gap of seven years and in the aftermath of Galwan Clash of 2020 when the bilateral relations had hit an all-time low thus, heralds a new chapter in the Sino-India relations at a time when both the nations are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The remarks by both the leaders affirm their commitment to carve a mutually beneficial and respectful strategic path amid spiking geopolitical volatilities and economic or trade hiccups.
