PM Modi, Chinese FM Wang Yi Hold Talks in New Delhi Ahead of SCO Summit

TDT | Manama

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit scheduled in Tianjin. During the meeting, Mr. Wang Yi extended an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping for Mr. Modi to attend the summit.

The discussions primarily focused on advancing military and diplomatic engagement following the 2020 border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Emphasizing India’s consistent stand, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of “maintaining peace and tranquillity” along the border, reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to a fair and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue.

The meeting comes at a time when India is also facing fresh economic challenges, including hefty Trump-era tariffs imposed over Russian oil imports. Mr. Wang Yi’s three-day visit is being viewed as a precursor to the SCO Summit and a signal of the improving climate in India-China relations.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Wang Yi held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the 24th round of Special Representatives’ discussions on the boundary issue. Mr. Doval noted that “borders have been quiet” and that bilateral engagement has become “more substantial,” attributing the progress to leadership-level discussions held in Kazan last year.

Mr. Wang Yi acknowledged that recent setbacks had not served either country’s interests but welcomed the “stability” restored at the borders. He reiterated that a healthy relationship between India and China was vital for the long-term interests of both nations and expressed hope for Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the SCO Summit.

A day earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met with Mr. Wang Yi. He stressed India’s priority in combating terrorism in all its forms and highlighted the need for constructive dialogue that builds a stable, cooperative, and forward-looking partnership between the two Asian powers.