Modi-Xi Meet Improves India-China Ties, but Experts Urge Caution

Why in the News ?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin (September 2025).
• The meeting was seen as a step in “repairing” India-China relations, though experts warned against overstating its significance.
• The discussion took place at the launch of China: Indian Perspectives on China’s Politics, Economy and Foreign Relations, a special publication by The Hindu Group.
  

Background

• India-China relations have been strained since the 2020 Galwan clashes and continuing border standoffs in eastern Ladakh.
• Diplomatic dialogue resumed in 2024 with incremental disengagement at certain friction points.
• Previous Modi-Xi meetings (e.g., in Kazan, 2024) helped reopen channels, but core border issues remain unresolved.
• The Tianjin summit was part of efforts within the SCO framework to manage tensions while focusing on multilateral cooperation.

Feature

• Key Takeaways from the Book Launch & Panel
• Shivshankar Menon: The book helps India “learn to look at China” in a comprehensive way.
• Shyam Saran: It is “the most complete survey” of China’s contemporary politics and economy.
• Ashok Kantha: Ties began repairing in 2024; the Tianjin summit stabilised relations, but challenges persist.
• Manoj Joshi: The meeting is part of a process; its value should not be overstated.
• Vijay Gokhale: Warned about China’s internal centralisation policies; called for greater direct engagement.
• Tibet was highlighted as an enduring strategic and cultural factor in bilateral ties.
• Themes of Discussion Border disengagement remains unfinished
• China’s domestic authoritarianism may affect its economic trajectory and foreign behaviour.
• Need for Indian scholars, officials, and public to engage deeply with Chinese politics, society, and economy.

Challenge

• Border Disputes: Persistent tensions in eastern Ladakh and a lack of clarity over the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Trust Deficit: The Galwan incident and China’s opaque strategic moves eroded confidence.
• Geopolitical Competition: Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, BRICS, SCO, and influence in South Asia.
• Information Gap: Limited Indian exposure to ground realities in China; difficulty understanding Chinese decision-making.
• Domestic Pressures: Rising nationalism in both countries complicates concessions.

Way Forward

• Sustained Dialogue: Continue high-level and military-to-military talks to resolve LAC friction points.
• Balanced Engagement: Advance trade, climate, and multilateral cooperation while safeguarding security interests.
• Knowledge Building: Promote Chinese language and area studies in India; send more scholars and journalists to China.
• Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): Strengthen border management protocols, hotline mechanisms, and transparency in troop deployments.
• Strategic Autonomy: Engage China without undermining ties with other partners (U.S., Japan, ASEAN, etc.).
• People-to-People Contact: Encourage academic, cultural, and business exchanges.

Conclusion

The Modi–Xi meeting in Tianjin marks a cautious step towards stabilising India-China relations after years of tension. However, as experts underline, border disputes, mutual distrust, and strategic competition remain unresolved. Real progress depends on sustained engagement, realistic expectations, and a deeper understanding of China’s internal dynamics and long-term ambitions.