Xi tells Modi ‘right choice for dragon, elephant to come together at Tianjin bilateral
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday held a bilateral meeting in Tianjin, China ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, media reported.
They discussed ways to improve the bilateral ties amid US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on India.
Modi noted the positive direction India-China ties received after their meeting in Kazan last year.
He said that disengagement of troops at border has created an atmosphere of peace and stability.
Modi said that New Delhi is committed to take its relationship with Beijing forward based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.
Modi, who arrived in Tianjin on Saturday and met the Chinese President after 10 months.
They had last met in Russia during BRICS Summit in Kazan last year.
Xi said, “It is the right choice for both countries to be friends who have good unneighborly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant come together.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “China and India are two ancient civilizations in the East. We are the world’s two most populous countries, and we are also important members of the Global South. We both shoulder the historical responsibility of improving the well-being of our two peoples, promoting the solidarity and rejuvenation of developing countries, and promoting the progress of human society.
Modi stressed mutual trust, respect and sensitivity in India-China relationship
“We are determined to take our relationship forward based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. We extend our best wishes for the successful hosting of the SCO Summit, and I thank you for the invitation for this visit and this meeting,” the PM said.
Xi, Modi highlighted the recent progress in India-China ties, saying the interest of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our bilateral cooperation.
“An agreement has been reached between our Special Representatives regarding border management. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed. Direct flights between the two countries are also being resumed. The interests of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our cooperation. This will also pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity,” Modi said in his opening remarks during the bilateral meeting with Xi.
“Last year in Kazan, we had very fruitful discussions, which gave a positive direction to our relations. After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created,” Prime Minister Modi said during his bilateral meeting with the Chinese President.
The bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping has begun in the port city of Tianjin ahead of the SCO Summit.
Modi highlighted the steady progress in India-China ties since his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, last year.
He underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity.
