Archive · 10 Sep 2026
India and China Urged to Reset Ties Through Cooperation
India and China are two very large and important countries.
They compete with each other, especially over borders, trade, and influence.
However, the article says both countries could gain by working together.
Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping met in Tianjin on August 31, 2025.
They said peace at the border and better relations were important.
India also wants to reduce its large trade gap with China.
A survey found that many Indians support more trade, investment, and talent from China.
The author believes learning more about each other could make the relationship more stable.
India and China remain strategic competitors, but the article argues their long-term interests increasingly require cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Tianjin on August 31, 2025, marking their first meeting in China in seven years.
Both leaders emphasized stable relations, border peace, and partnership, while India raised its nearly $100 billion bilateral trade deficit.
A 2024 Takshashila Institution poll found majority support among Indian respondents for greater Chinese trade, investment, and talent.
The article says India must better understand China’s leadership, political system, and long-term plans to build sustainable cooperation.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Xi Jinping of China.
- What
- The leaders met to advance a possible improvement in India-China relations and discuss cooperation, border stability, and trade.
- When
- August 31, 2025; the article also cites a 2024 public-opinion poll.
- Where
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China.
- Why
- The article says cooperation could support development and stability, while both sides face strategic competition, border tensions, and economic concerns.
- Leaders’ meeting
- Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping met in Tianjin on August 31, 2025.
- Previous meeting in China
- The article describes it as the first meeting between the two leaders in China in seven years.
- Trade deficit
- India’s bilateral trade deficit with China was described as almost $100 billion.
- Trade opinion
- In a 2024 Takshashila Institution poll, 49.6% of Indian respondents said greater trade with China serves India’s developmental and security interests.
- Chinese investment opinion
- Some 56.3% said Chinese investment is beneficial, especially when it creates employment opportunities in India.
- Chinese talent opinion
- Some 52.4% supported welcoming Chinese talent when suitable Indian talent is unavailable in a particular industry.
- Different political systems
- The article contrasts India’s democratic system with China’s Party-led system.