Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on August 31, 2025, in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit to emphasize the importance of fostering strong bilateral relations between China and India.

Xi Jinping highlighted the significance of the "Dragon and the Elephant"—symbolising China and India—uniting in friendship and cooperation amidst a world experiencing major transformative and chaotic changes.

He underscored that both countries, as ancient civilizations and the two most populous globally, bear the historical responsibility to enhance the well-being of their peoples, promote solidarity among developing nations, and contribute to global peace and prosperity.

President Xi Jinping said, that noting that world is undergoing chaotic churns, that it is the "right choice" for both China and India - two ancient civilizations, the two most populous countries who are also members of the global South to be friends and good neighbours who enable each other's success, and to have "the dragon and the elephant dance together."

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, which Xi said should be handled with a long-term strategic vision to ensure sustained, sound development and greater multilateral cooperation on the world stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome in China and recalled the productive discussions held in Kazan last year, which set positive directions for India-China relations. Modi noted that after disengagement at the border, peace and stability have returned, with agreements reached on border management.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage has resumed, and direct flights between the two countries are restarting. Modi stressed that cooperation between the two nations is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people and that this partnership would advance the welfare of humanity as a whole. His commitment was to continue strengthening relations based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.

Both leaders agreed that the border disputes should not define the overall relationship, emphasizing development, stability, and cooperation in trade and regional security as their primary concerns.

The meeting reflects a thaw and reset in bilateral ties after years of tension, including conflicts in 2020, and is also seen in the broader context of global geopolitical shifts, including challenges in relations with the United States.

The SCO summit provides a platform for these discussions, with participation by member states including India, China, Russia, and others, highlighting commitments to multilateralism and regional cooperation.

The summit and the Modi-Xi meeting in Tianjin symbolize a significant step toward improving diplomatic engagement, stabilising bilateral ties, and promoting peace and development in Asia and beyond. The "Dragon and Elephant" metaphor vividly represents this aspiration for friendship, unity, and mutual progress between China and India.

This detailed report synthesises the key points and reactions from the SCO 2025 summit in Tianjin and the bilateral meeting between these two leaders.

Based On ANI Report