Modi, Xi to Hold Talks as India and China Slowly Rebuild Ties

Chinese envoy expresses optimism; Delhi views military’s remarks as encouraging

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on Sunday around noon in Tianjin, roughly 120 km from Beijing, as the two countries work to ease tensions after a five-year standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. The meeting comes just before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

This is the second Modi–Xi meeting in less than a year, following their interaction in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS summit in October 2024. The 40-minute dialogue is being viewed as an important step toward gradually stabilising relations. A senior Chinese diplomat told The BRICS Times he was “hopeful of a fruitful meeting.”

Both leaders are expected to finalise a calendar of events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, with last-minute negotiations still underway on Saturday. Modi, who arrived from Japan, is visiting China for the first time in seven years to attend the SCO summit from August 31 to September 1.

On X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders,” emphasising the multilateral nature of the visit. Indian officials have also been cautious not to portray this as a stand-alone bilateral engagement, though the global context — including strained relations with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff announcement and criticism over India’s Russian oil imports — adds weight to the discussions.

Ahead of the summit, China’s military called for both countries to jointly safeguard peace along the border, following the August 19 talks in Delhi between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. That dialogue produced a 10-point consensus on border management, marking progress in easing tensions. Chinese Defence Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang described the talks as “positive” and “constructive,” stressing the need for cooperation built on respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutual benefit. Delhi has welcomed these remarks as a constructive signal.

Key outcomes of the Doval–Wang talks included creating an expert group under the WMCC to push forward on boundary delimitation. Trade and investment concessions are also under discussion and may be highlighted during Modi’s meeting with Xi.

The October 2024 Modi–Xi dialogue in Kazan led to troop disengagement at two friction points in eastern Ladakh, the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the issuance of Indian visas to Chinese tourists, and steps to restart direct flights. However, progress faltered in May after evidence surfaced of Chinese military support to Pakistan during clashes after Operation Sindoor.

Xi invited Modi to Tianjin through Wang Yi during his visit to Delhi on August 19. While the border de-escalation issue in Ladakh remains unresolved — with an estimated 50,000–60,000 troops still stationed on both sides — the leaders are expected to focus on reducing tensions and strengthening economic and cultural exchanges.