Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conduct bilateral discussions in Tianjin, applauding the tranquil ambiance along their shared border amidst the SCO Summit.

In a significant development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on August 31, 2021. This marked Modi's first visit to China in seven years.

The bilateral talks between Modi and Xi Jinping focused on border management and regional cooperation, following a gradual thaw in ties since the Kazan meeting in 2019. The discussions signalled cautious optimism after years of strained relations following the Ladakh standoff.

Notably, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval joined Prime Minister Modi in the talks, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar did not accompany him. The meeting did not result in any immediate announcements or significant agreements.

The SCO summit, which included participation from SCO member countries like China, Russia, India, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, also saw the presence of observer states such as Afghanistan and Mongolia, dialogue partners, and invited leaders from countries like Turkey and North Korea.

President Xi Jinping held separate bilateral meetings with leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Maldives before his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. However, he did not hold any such meetings with leaders from India prior to their encounter.

During the meeting, Modi described the current environment as a "peaceful atmosphere" and highlighted progress in managing tensions along the India-China border. He also announced that direct flights between India and China are being resumed.

The summit provided a platform for the bloc to demonstrate unity in the face of external economic challenges, specifically global trade tensions caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. However, the discussions at the summit were not focused on resolving the border issue between India and China.

Experts have noted potential for cooperation in economic and people-to-people exchanges between India and China. However, they caution that the border issue requires long-term trust rather than quick resolutions. The meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping is seen as an important moment for India-China engagement, particularly given the absence of leaders from the United States at the summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conduct bilateral discussions in Tianjin, applauding the tranquil ambiance along their shared border amidst the SCO Summit.