Politics Rapprochement with India: China calls for more cooperation
As a sign of improving relations, China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping has called for closer cooperation with India. China and India are partners, not rivals, Xi told India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. According to the state news agency Xinhua, the two countries represented development opportunities for each other and not threats.
31.08.2025, 09:30
SDA
Modi travelled to China for the first time in seven years for the meeting of the security organization. The two most populous countries in the world had recently grown closer again after their relations deteriorated due to an escalated border conflict. During the one-hour meeting, Modi praised the recent progress made in the conflict.
Dispute over region in the Himalayas
India and China are at loggerheads over an area in the Himalayas, which Beijing considers to be in the south of Tibet and, according to New Delhi's position, in the north of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In 2020, soldiers from both sides attacked each other with fists and stones, resulting in deaths on both sides.
During a recent visit to India, the two nuclear powers agreed on "peace and tranquillity" on their borders in a ten-point paper. In addition, China and India want to issue tourist visas again and allow direct flights.
What the rapprochement means
India and China's rapprochement is likely to be closely monitored by the USA in particular. The Chinese are important trading partners for India. New Delhi had also moved closer to Russia in the ongoing trade dispute with US President Donald Trump. During a phone call with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, both sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation. A few days ago, Washington finally introduced new tariffs on imports from India due to its oil business with Russia.
However, observers believe that a complete break with the USA is unlikely. India is part of the Indo-Pacific Quad Security Dialogue with the USA, Japan and Australia. Modi's visit to Tianjin was also preceded by a trip to Japan, where he agreed more investment with his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba.
