PM Modi, Xi Jinping Hold Talks to Reset India-China Ties Amid US Tariff Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, stressing that India-China relations must be guided by mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.

The 40-minute meeting — the first between the two leaders in seven years — began with a firm handshake, signaling a step toward rapprochement as both nations face heightened pressure from US President Donald Trump’s steep tariff hikes.

Modi underlined recent progress in bilateral ties, citing discussions between special representatives on the boundary question, the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and the restoration of direct flights.

“The well-being of 2.8 billion people depends on stronger cooperation between our countries. This partnership can also benefit the entire world,” Modi said. Xi welcomed India’s readiness for dialogue, with both leaders agreeing to keep channels open and strengthen economic and strategic engagement despite global headwinds.

This visit marks Modi’s first trip to China since his 2018 Wuhan summit with Xi, which followed the Doklam standoff. The current engagement focuses on resetting ties at a time when New Delhi and Beijing both find themselves at odds with Washington’s tariff offensive.

Later in Tianjin, Modi will also hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin — their first meeting since the US doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent over India’s continued import of Russian oil.