Prime Minister Modi is in Tianjin, China for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in bilateral talks - his first visit in seven years.
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| Modi 'meets Xi Jinping - image |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, China, in the lead up to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This meeting is a big step in the improvement of India-China relations after a five-year military stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
Key Discussion Points:
Economic Cooperation: Modi and Xi are likely to place emphasis on deepening trade relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Border Issues: The leaders are expected to address boundary question and steps to maintain peace along the disputed frontier.
Regional Security: They will also discuss regional security challenges and the need for regional cooperation in the context of the SCO framework.
Background:
Previous Meetings: Modi and Xi last met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in October 2024 in Russia's Kazan.
Recent Diplomatic Outreach: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in New Delhi earlier this month where both sides reached a 10-point consensus on border talks with NSA Ajit Doval.
SCO Summit: The summit invitees include 10 member countries of SCO: Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, China, etc.
Expectations:
Stability in Relations: The meeting is expected to bring stability to the India-China ties which have remained strained since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
Long-term Partnership: Modi is likely to come to the meeting with a long-term approach, emphasizing strategic cooperation and equitable trade practices.
Global Trade: The leaders are expected to held on the implications of global trade disruptions, including the recent US tariffs on India.
Here is the takeaway from PM Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping:
Deepening Bilateral Relations: Modi stressed on the need for mutual respect, trust, and sensitivity in furthering India-China relations.
Economic Cooperation: Both leaders talked about reinforcing economic cooperation, with India aiming for a level playing field in trade and access to essential imports like rare earths.
Border Stability: Modi emphasized the importance of peace and stability on the border, mentioning the recent disengagement efforts and agreement between their special representatives on border management.
Global Economic Order: Amid global economic tensions and tariffs from the US, the leaders acknowledged the contribution their economies have made to stabilizing the world trade order.
People-to-People Ties: They agreed to further enhance people-to-people ties through direct flights, visa facilitation, and cultural exchanges, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Strategic Autonomy: Modi said India and China are practicing strategic autonomy and their relations need to be seen without the prism of a third country.
Cooperation in Multilateral Platforms: The leaders talked about cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS, with the objective of contributing to regional and global peace and prosperity.
Invitation to BRICS Summit: Modi extended an invitation to Xi for the BRICS Summit to be held in India next year, further cementing their commitment to bilateral engagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China is his first visit in seven years after he had visited in 2018 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The visit is significant considering it follows a five-year military standoff in the eastern Ladakh region and against the backdrop of an increasingly strained India-US relationship after US tariffs on Indian exports.
Key Highlights of the Visit:
Bilateral Meeting with Xi Jinping: Modi had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit and discussed enhancing India-China relations, trade ties, and border stability.
Economic Cooperation: Both leaders stressed the significance of cooperation in today's tumultuous global economy, seeking to stabilize the global economic order.
Border Stability: Modi emphasized on the importance of peace and stability along the border, mentioning the recent disengagement steps and agreements between their respective special representatives on border management.
People-to-People Ties: The two leaders explored ways to bolster cultural exchanges, re-establish direct flights and simplify visa processes to facilitate travel and business between India and China.
Significance of the Visit:
Resetting India-China Ties: The visit marks a possible strategic realignment, aiming to navigate differences while fostering cooperation between the two countries.
Global Economic Stability: Modi and Xi's conversation on economic collaboration underscores their dedication to stability in the global economic order, especially in light of trade tensions with the US.
Regional and Global Cooperation: The summit emphasizes the need for cooperation in multilateral forums such as the SCO, BRICS, and G20 to tackle common challenges and foster regional security.
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician who has been the paramount leader of China since 2012. He's the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the head of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Here are a few facts about him:
Early Life: Xi was born on June 15, 1953 in Beijing to Xi Zhongxun, a communist leader and veteran revolutionary. He was banished to rural Shaanxi province in the Cultural Revolution and became a member of the CCP.
Rise To Power: Xi rose in the ranks of the CCP, being governor of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, and party secretary of Shanghai. He was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee since 2007 and was officially introduced to be Hu Jintao's successor.
Leadership Style: Xi is a strongman president, has eliminated term limits for the presidency and has developed a personality cult. He's best known for his strong foreign policy and focus on China's role in the world.
Policies and Initiatives: Xi's initiatives include:
Economic Reforms: High-quality growth, innovation and self-reliance
Anti Corruption Campaign: Anti-Corruption Campaign inside CCP
Military Modernization: Enhancing China's military power
Belt and Road Initiative: China's growing empire through infrastructure
Global Governance: Advancing China's concepts of international order and global governance.
International Relations: Xi has consolidated ties with Russia, but has caused tensions with the US and India during his time in office. He has underlined the Chinese role as a leader in the world and encouraged cooperation with other countries.
Domestic Problems: Xi's government has been challenged by issues including :
Human Rights and Democracy: Censorship, liberty of expression and minority rights.
Economic Slowdown - Controlling China's economic growth and debt
Environmental Concerns: Tackling pollution, climate change and sustainability.
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