Vital for elephant and dragon to come together: Xi Jinping after meeting PM Modi on sidelines of SCO

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting, in Tianjin, China on August 31, 2025

A meeting that was termed extremely 'consequential', Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday expressed interest in improving ties between the two nations. Xi and Modi primarily underlined the need for both countries to approach their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. The leaders met at Tianjin, on the sidelines of the  Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Chinese President Xi unequivocally stated that it is vital for both countries to be good friends and good neighbours. In his opening remarks, the Chinese President lauded the opportunity provided to both the countries and said: "It is a pleasure to meet PM Modi".

"... The world today is swept by once-in-a-century transformations. The international situation is both fluid and chaotic... This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties. Both sides need to approach and handle our relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective. We must also step up to our historic responsibility to uphold multilateralism, work together to bring about a multipolar world and more democracy in international relations, and to make our true contributions to peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world," Xi said.

Xi's remark on the much-needed effort to step up the role of both nations to fulfil their historic responsibilities, perhaps has a larger messaging with the way ties evolved since the border clashes, underlining the larger geopolitical churn and the need for the two neighbours to understand the churn and its larger interests, Xi said : "The world is going towards transformation, and India and China must be mindful for the evolving situation."

In his opening remarks during delegation-level talks with PM Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “The World is going towards transformation. China and India are two of the most civilizational countries. We are the world’s two most populous countries and part of the Global South... It is vital to be friends, a good neighbour, and the Dragon and the Elephant to come together...”

“This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations. Both nations need to handle our relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. We must also step up to our historic responsibilities to uphold multilateralism, a multipolar world, and more democracy in international institutions and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world," the Chinese President said.

In his opening remarks during the talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM Modi said, "We are determined to take our relationship forward based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. We extend our best wishes for the successful hosting of the SCO Summit, and I thank you for the invitation for this visit and this meeting."