INTERNATIONAL: Xi’s Call: Dragon and Elephant Must Unit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in pivotal discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, marking his first visit to China in seven years.
The dialogue underscored a mutual commitment to fostering amicable bilateral ties amidst global geopolitical flux. Xi emphasized the strategic imperative of friendship between the two populous nations, framing their collaboration as vital for regional stability.
A Strategic Reengagement
Xi warmly welcomed Modi, recalling their constructive meeting at the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, which catalyzed a reset in India-China relations.
He articulated that both nations, as leading Global South members, bear a collective responsibility to advance mutual prosperity. This encounter builds on recent diplomatic overtures, including agreements on border disengagement and trade normalization.
Partners, Not Rivals
Highlighting the metaphor of the “dragon and elephant” uniting, Xi advocated for a cooperative paradigm, asserting that India and China are developmental partners rather than adversaries.
He stressed that sustained bilateral progress hinges on maintaining this strategic orientation. Such rhetoric signals an intent to transcend historical frictions, notably the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Global South Solidarity
Xi underscored the shared role of India and China in promoting a multipolar world, urging enhanced coordination within multilateral frameworks like the SCO.
Modi echoed this sentiment, noting that stable relations between the two nations, representing 2.8 billion people, are pivotal for global peace and economic recovery. Their alignment aims to amplify the Global South’s voice.
Addressing Regional Stability
The leaders acknowledged progress in border de-escalation, with Modi emphasizing that tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is essential for advancing bilateral ties.
Discussions also touched on counter-terrorism, with India reiterating its zero-tolerance stance, a key priority at the SCO summit. These talks reflect a cautious optimism for sustained peace.
Economic and Cultural Bridges
Recent agreements to resume direct flights, reopen pilgrimage sites in Tibet, and ease visa restrictions signal a thaw in economic and people-to-people exchanges.
Modi highlighted the potential of India-China cooperation to stabilize the global economy amidst US tariff pressures. These steps aim to rebuild trust strained by past border tensions.
Challenges Amidst Optimism
Despite the positive momentum, analysts caution that longstanding mistrust, rooted in the unresolved LAC dispute, may impede deeper collaboration.
The summit’s outcomes, including potential agreements on trade and troop withdrawals, will be closely scrutinized for tangible progress. The Modi-Xi dialogue thus represents a delicate balancing act.