Indian PM Narendra Modi on Sunday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, when he said the cooperation between the two countries is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people.
“An atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement at the border,” Modi said during his bilateral meeting with Xi.
This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes amid the India-US rift over Donald Trump’s tariff announcement.
“Our Special Representatives have reached an understanding on border management. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed, and direct flights between the two countries are also being started,” he said.
Modi said: “The cooperation between us is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two nations. This will also pave the way for the welfare of all humanity. We are committed to further strengthening our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.”
In Tianjin, PM Modi was accorded a warm welcome at the airport.
Before leaving for India on Monday, PM Modi is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Xi will host an official banquet for the guests ahead of the SCO summit, which will begin on Sunday.
Twenty foreign leaders are attending the SCO summit being organised by China.
The 10-member bloc comprises Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and China.
PM Modi on Friday said strong ties with China are “crucial” and will have a “positive impact on regional peace and prosperity”.
The SCO Summit is also taking place as India navigates global economic and geopolitical turbulence over Russia’s war on Ukraine, Israel’s war on Gaza, and the United States’ 50 percent tariff on Indian goods exported to that country.
