India-China Relations at a Crossroads: Modi, Xi Set to Meet at SCO Summit After Recent Setbacks

 

India & China Explore a Fresh Start in Ties Amid Past Setbacks

In what could mark a turning point in their uneasy relationship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that India and China now have a real chance to reset their ties. Speaking at the 24th round of talks between Special Representatives on the boundary issue, Wang acknowledged that the two countries had experienced “setbacks” in recent years — a veiled reference to the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes — but stressed that such tensions served neither side’s people.

Wang’s conciliatory tone was met with a positive response from New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he would be meeting President Xi Jinping during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. Modi underlined that “stable, predictable, and constructive ties” with Beijing would not only benefit both nations but also contribute to global peace and prosperity.

Recalling past high-level exchanges, Wang pointed to the October 2024 meeting between Xi and Modi during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, as a moment that gave direction to bilateral ties and encouraged progress on the long-standing boundary question.

Later in the evening, Wang met with Prime Minister Modi in person and delivered a personal message and formal invitation from President Xi to attend the SCO summit. Modi accepted the invite and, in a gesture highlighting the importance India attaches to these talks, reiterated that respect for each other’s interests and sensitivities had guided the progress made so far.

Modi said, “I look forward to our next meeting in Tianjin. Strong and constructive ties between India and China can play a vital role in regional stability and global prosperity.” The Ministry of External Affairs also confirmed that Modi underscored the need for a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” resolution of the boundary issue.

Wang, for his part, described the upcoming SCO summit as an “important opportunity” to rebuild trust and momentum in the relationship. He noted that Beijing was placing great importance on Modi’s visit and hoped that India would contribute to making the summit a success.

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval echoed this optimism, calling last year’s SR-level talks in China “wonderful” and pointing out the “upward trend” in recent months.

Wang arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a two-day trip and quickly got down to business with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During their discussions, Jaishankar made it clear that progress on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was crucial. He also pressed Wang on the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, reminding him that one of the founding goals of the SCO was to tackle terrorism collectively.