Dragon and Elephant Must Come Together: Xi Jinping

• Xi Jinping tells PM Modi that India and China must “come together” and “be friends.”
• Meeting held on sidelines of SCO Summit in Tianjin amid US tariff pressures.
• Xi urges both nations to uphold multilateralism and work for a multipolar world.
• PM Modi stresses ties should rest on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.”

GG News Bureau
Tianjin, 31st Aug: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday emphasised that India and China must “come together” and “be friends” as he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. The meeting, aimed at resetting strained bilateral ties five years after the Galwan Valley clashes, comes amid tariff pressures from the United States.

Welcoming PM Modi, Xi said it was a “great pleasure” to meet again, noting progress in bilateral exchanges since their last meeting in Kazan. “China and India are two of the most civilizational countries and the world’s most populous nations. It is vital for the Dragon and the Elephant to come together,” he remarked.

Xi underlined the “historic responsibilities” of both nations to uphold multilateralism, build a multipolar world, and strengthen democracy in global institutions. He added that 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties, urging both sides to approach relations from a “strategic” and “long-term perspective.”

In an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Xi reiterated that India and China must reject unilateralism and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia.

Prime Minister Modi, in his remarks, reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing ties with China on the basis of “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.” He highlighted that peace and stability had returned to the border following last year’s disengagement, while direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra had resumed.

“With cooperation between our nations, the interests of 2.8 billion people are associated — this is needed for humanity,” PM Modi said.