In a carefully orchestrated meeting at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping came together for the first time in seven years, signaling a cautious attempt to strengthen India-China relations. The summit comes against the backdrop of escalating US tariffs on India and China, prompting both nations to explore common ground.
Unlike Modi’s earlier informal gestures with world leaders, the handshakes and smiles this time reflected a pragmatic approach rather than overt camaraderie. The leaders emphasized the importance of stability and progress in bilateral ties while carefully sidestepping any public mention of tariffs or the US.
The meeting builds upon previous engagements, including Modi and Xi’s 2024 summit in Kazan, Russia, which saw the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, tourist visas, and direct flights between the two countries. Despite these gains, persistent issues remain, such as trade deficits, concerns over Chinese-backed projects in Pakistan, and the planned mega-dam in Tibet affecting Brahmaputra river flows.
Observers note that India and China’s temporary alignment may also be influenced by shared grievances over US trade policies, but analysts caution that the partnership remains fragile, with strategic and security concerns still unresolved. While the “dragon and elephant” may be dancing together for now, underlying tensions suggest that careful diplomacy will be required to maintain the delicate balance.
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