Xi and Modi Conduct Bilateral Talks in China Amid SCO Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have kicked off a bilateral meeting in Tianjin, as confirmed by China’s state media, Xinhua, on Sunday. This meeting marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, prompted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit taking place over the course of two days.
The SCO summit in Tianjin brings together over 20 global leaders, underscoring a significant show of unity within the Global South. Major figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to attend. The SCO’s membership includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations, with additional countries holding observer status.
Ahead of the summit, China’s officials, through spokesperson Guo Jiakun, welcomed Modi’s visit, noting the collective global impact of China and India, who together represent over a third of the world’s population. The two countries have recently worked towards mending ties following the 2020 border conflict, culminating in a positive meeting last year in Kazan.
In the build-up to the SCO summit, Xi has been meeting with various leaders such as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Egyptian Premier Moustafa Madbouly. Russian President Putin is also scheduled to arrive, as China seeks to deepen its partnerships within the Central Asian region through the SCO, an organization sometimes viewed as a counterbalance to NATO.
Joining the summit, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in China with a high-level delegation. Ahead of the meetings, Sharif expressed eagerness to engage with global leaders, including President Xi. The Pakistani delegation aims to affirm their commitment to multilateralism, regional security, and sustainable development, ensuring bilateral discussions with the Chinese leadership.
This year’s SCO summit also includes leaders from nations beyond the core membership, such as Mongolia, Egypt, and Nepal, along with representation from the United Nations and other international organizations. These meetings represent a crucial opportunity for member nations and observers to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
