TIANJIN, China (BN24) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a renewed chapter in bilateral relations Friday, declaring a mutual desire to be “partners, not rivals” after years of tension and a long-standing border conflict.

Meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the northern port city of Tianjin, the two leaders emphasized stability, cooperation, and strategic foresight. It marked Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, and came at a time when global alignments are shifting, particularly in response to strained U.S. relations with both Asian powers.

Xi said the relationship between the world’s two most populous nations should be guided by “strategic height and long-term perspective,” adding that friendship is “the right choice” for both sides. Modi echoed that sentiment, declaring that an “atmosphere of peace and stability” now defined the India-China dynamic.

Their comments come amid growing friction between New Delhi and Washington, particularly over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil—a move that has drawn U.S. tariffs under President Joe Biden’s administration. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces ongoing Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, received a red-carpet welcome at the summit, which included more than 20 world leaders.

The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states, now counts 10 full members including Iran and Pakistan, along with 16 dialogue partners and observers. Though largely symbolic, the summit has become a significant platform for member states to express concerns over Western influence, particularly that of NATO and the United States.

Modi also announced that direct flights between India and China would resume—suspended since a deadly 2020 Himalayan border clash—though he did not provide a timeline. The gesture is seen as another step toward normalization between the two regional powers.

This year’s SCO summit, the largest since the organization’s inception, has transformed Tianjin into a hub of political and cultural activity. With billboards and banners plastered across the city, nightly light shows on downtown skyscrapers have drawn tens of thousands to the riverside, even as heavy security has brought parts of the city to a standstill.

Pedestrians have faced delays due to rolling roadblocks for official motorcades, and downtown transportation has been restricted. Authorities have urged the city’s 13 million residents to avoid unnecessary travel and rely on local shops for daily needs. Despite the inconveniences, public enthusiasm remains high as Tianjin plays host to what many here see as a historic meeting.

The gathering comes just days before China’s planned military parade in Beijing to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II—a reminder of the enduring narratives that shape modern alliances and rivalries.

As U.S. ties with both India and China continue to strain, the Xi-Modi meeting may signal a recalibration of alliances in the region, positioning the two Asian giants on a more cooperative path amid global uncertainty.

Credit:BBC.COM