Key Facts
• August 31, 2025: Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met in Tianjin, China.
• First meeting since October 2024; Modi’s first visit to China in 7 years.
• Discussion focused on improving relations after 2020 border clashes in the Himalayas.
• Xi emphasized cooperation, likening China and India to a dragon and an elephant.
• Modi highlighted military withdrawal from disputed areas and resumption of direct flights.
• India faces challenges with U.S. due to high tariffs on Russian oil purchases.
• China seeks to strengthen ties with India to counter the Quad alliance.
• Modi will not attend the September 3 military parade in Beijing.
• Border disputes remain unresolved; India maintains cautious distance from China.
Summary
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on August 31, 2025, in Tianjin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. This marked their first meeting since October 2024 and Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. The leaders discussed improving relations strained by the 2020 Himalayan border clashes. Xi called for cooperation, likening the two nations to a dragon and an elephant, while Modi praised the military withdrawal from disputed areas and the resumption of direct flights. Amid India’s strained ties with the U.S. over high tariffs on Russian oil, China aims to strengthen its relationship with India to counterbalance the Quad alliance. However, unresolved border issues and Modi’s decision to skip the September 3 military parade in Beijing highlight India’s cautious stance toward China.
