PM Modi Arrives in China After 7-Year Gap, Eyes Key Talks with President Xi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in China after a gap of over seven years, marking a significant moment in India-China relations. His visit to Tianjin on Saturday has generated much attention, particularly in light of the recent downturn in India-US relations, which has been influenced by Washington’s tariff policies affecting global economies.

Modi’s primary objective is to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for August 31 and September 1. However, his anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday has taken on added importance, with the two leaders expected to review and discuss the status of India-China economic relations and efforts to further stabilize ties. The relationship between the two countries was strained following the border tensions in eastern Ladakh, but recent diplomatic efforts have aimed to ease tensions.

The prime minister arrived in Tianjin from Japan as part of the second leg of his two-nation visit. In addition to his meeting with President Xi, Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

Ahead of his trip, Modi emphasized the importance of a stable and cooperative relationship between India and China. In an interview with Japan’s The Yomiuri Shimbun, he stated that stable and predictable relations between the two countries could contribute positively to both regional and global peace and prosperity. He also noted that, amid ongoing global economic volatility, India and China, as major economies, must collaborate to bring stability to the world economic order.

Modi’s visit comes just two weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, where he held discussions with Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The talks resulted in the unveiling of measures aimed at stabilizing the relationship, including agreements on maintaining peace along the contested border, reopening trade, and resuming direct flight services.

The two nations have made notable progress in recent months to reset their relationship, particularly following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. The completion of disengagement from the last two friction points in Demchok and Depsang, as part of an agreement finalized on October 21 last year, has been seen as a positive step toward peace.

Modi’s last visit to China was in June 2018, for the SCO summit, while President Xi Jinping’s visit to India took place in October 2019 for an informal summit.

Source: PTI