Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to China's President Xi Jinping that trust, respect, and sensitivity at the border should be the guiding principles for India–China relations. Modi made the statement during his meeting with Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

“I sincerely thank you for the warm welcome. We are committed to further strengthening our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” said PM Modi.

Alluding to last year’s meeting between the two at the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October, PM Modi said the border disengagement had paved way for peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC.) He also mentioned that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed between the two nations, with direct flights between India and China also resuming.

“Last year, we had a very meaningful discussion in Kazan, which gave a positive direction to our relations. An atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement at the border. 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 added.

PM Modi also congratulated President Xi Jinping on the successful organisation of the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

“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. I heartily congratulate you on China’s successful presidency of the SCO,” Modi added.

Meanwhile, China president Jinping emphasised on the importance of the two nations to remain friendly and good neighbours.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven year. The visit comes two weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to India, where he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

China is hosting this year’s SCO Plus summit in Tianjin as the rotating chair of the 10-member bloc, with 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This comes at a critical time when India faces tariff pressure from its long-time ally, the United States. Strains in India–US ties have deepened after U.S. president Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods.

This is one of the key reasons India is pressing for building its ties with China. India–China relations have been strained since the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. Disengagement along the border may have begun, yet the ban over Chinese apps including TikTok has not been revoked yet.