PM Modi Looks Forward to Meeting Xi as India, China Push to Rebuild Ties on Border, Trade & Flights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China are crucial for regional and global peace and prosperity. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ summit in Tianjin (August 31–September 1), Modi said he looks forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on its sidelines. His comments followed a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi, where a series of measures were agreed to improve ties strained by the five-year border standoff.

Progress in Bilateral Engagements
During Wang’s meeting with Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, both sides agreed to resume direct flights, reopen border trade at Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La passes, and facilitate trade and investment flows. They also committed to easing visas for tourists, businesses, media, and professionals, along with finalising an updated Air Services Agreement. Symbolically, the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was welcomed as a positive step.

Border Management Mechanisms
Recognising that peace at the border is central to overall ties, both countries announced at least three new mechanisms: (1) an Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to explore “early harvest” in boundary delimitation; (2) a Working Group to advance effective border management; and (3) new General-level mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle Sectors in addition to the existing one in the Western Sector. The MEA said these will be used to discuss de-escalation and management at both diplomatic and military levels.

NSA Ajit Doval told Wang Yi that the border has remained “quiet” and that there has been an “upward trend” in ties since Modi and Xi met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2023. Both sides reviewed the progress since the 23rd round of Special Representative talks, reaffirming that peace and tranquillity on the border directly impacts the broader relationship. They agreed to seek a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement, consistent with the 2005 agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles.

Economic and Resource-related Cooperation
China promised to address three Indian concerns—supply of fertilisers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines. The two sides also exchanged views on trans-border river cooperation, with Beijing agreeing to share hydrological information during emergencies on humanitarian grounds. At the same time, India raised strong concerns over China’s mega dam project on the lower Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), highlighting risks for lower riparian states and insisting on transparency.

Terrorism and Multilateral Cooperation
India reiterated its firm stance against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, recalling that countering terror was a founding objective of the SCO. Wang Yi agreed terrorism should be given top priority. Both sides also pledged to support each other in hosting BRICS summits (India in 2026, China in 2027), commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025, and revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms including people-to-people exchanges.

On the global stage, they agreed to uphold multilateralism, strengthen communication on international and regional issues, safeguard developing countries’ interests, and promote a multipolar world with WTO-based rules.

Overall Outlook
The Indian side welcomed “steady and positive progress” since the Kazan meeting, stressing mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity. Both sides underscored that strategic guidance of their leaders is crucial for advancing relations. While India flagged concerns about the Brahmaputra dam and terrorism, both countries agreed that cooperation, stability at the border, and constructive engagement will enable them to fully realise their development potential.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi acknowledged past setbacks were not in the peoples’ interest but noted that stability is being restored, with new frameworks and consensus offering a roadmap for improved ties.