Modi meets Xi in China: Leaders discuss 'elephant and dragon come together'

Xi Jinping, as ANI reports, emphasized at the meeting with Modi that China’s friendship with India is the “right choice” for both nations.

“China and India are two ancient civilizations in the East. We are the world's two most populous countries, and also important members of the Global South... It is the right choice for both countries to be friends who have good, neighbourly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant come together,” he stressed.

For his part, the Indian prime minister stated that cooperation between India and China will pave the way “for the welfare of the entire humanity.”

“We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” said Modi, who arrived in Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

Relations between India and China

India and China have complex relations. On the one hand, they are powerful Asian economies, have significant trade turnover, and cooperate in international organizations such as BRICS and the SCO. On the other hand, they have border disputes that have led to armed clashes. India is also concerned about China’s growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, as well as Beijing’s support for Pakistan.

However, it seems that the tariff policy of the US President Donald Trump’s administration brought China and India closer together. Chinese ambassador in New Delhi Xu Feihong stated that Beijing “will firmly stand with India” against American tariffs.

This year, Trump imposed tariffs against China and India. India was targeted because it purchased Russian energy resources, which help the Kremlin wage war against Ukraine.