Modi extends his hand to XI in search of new confidence

The OCX summit brings together Modi, Xi and Putin at a time marked by American tariffs, commercial disputes and new strategic arrangements

In a heavy gesture in the Asian geopolitical scenario, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (31) that his government is committed to deepening relations with China. The speech took place during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (OCX).

Modi’s visit to China is symbolic. It is the first time in seven years that the Indian leader participates in a meeting in the neighboring country, which reinforces the importance of the moment. The two -day summit brings together not only Xi and Modi, but also Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as other heads of state from Central Asia, South, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

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Context of external pressures

The bilateral meeting took place at a delicate time: just five days after Washington announced 50% rates on Indian products in retaliation for Russian oil purchases made by New Delhi. The measure of the United States has added tension to the diplomatic environment and has brought even more India and China, who now seek to present a cohesive front in the face of western pressure, according to international analysts.

Strategic autonomy and focus on trade

In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India stressed that Modi and Xi discussed the importance of conducting bilateral relations from a “political and strategic direction”. Among the main points covered was the need to expand commercial and investment flows, as well as reducing the Indian deficit in trade with the Chinese.

Modi made a point of emphasizing that the relationship between New Déli and Beijing should not be interpreted from the perspective of third countries, but guided by the search for strategic autonomy. Speech was received as a sign that the two countries, despite historical border friction, intend to prioritize cooperation in areas of common interest.

Agenda beyond bilateral

According to the Indian statement, the leaders also talked about broader issues that go beyond trade. Among them, the need to expand consensus on bilateral, regional and global themes, as well as face challenges such as terrorism and debate on fair trade practices in multilateral forums.

At the end of the meeting, modeled the spirit of the meeting in a direct statement to XI Jinping: “We are committed to progress in our relationships based on mutual respect, trust and sensitivity”. The video with the speech was released in the official account of the Indian Prime Minister on platform X (former Twitter).

A new chapter in India-China relations?

Modi’s gesture against Xi is seen as an attempt to open a new chapter in the complex relationships between the two largest demographic powers on the planet. Although they maintain profound differences in border and regional influence, India and China seem to recognize that, given external pressures, cooperation can be strategic to ensure space and autonomy in the global board.

Border issue

During the meeting, Narendra Moda stressed that, despite historical tensions, an atmosphere of “peace and stability” was established along the border disputed in the Himalayan. The region was the scene of violent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers in 2020, which resulted in deaths and froze most of the cooperation areas between the two nuclear powers.

According to the Indian Prime Minister, a new agreement was reached on border management, although it has not provided details. The dividing line between the two countries, about 3,800 kilometers, has been poorly demarcated since the 1950s and has been a source of wars and successive military impasses.

On the Chinese side, Xi Jinping stated that the territorial dispute should not determine the direction of the bilateral relationship. “We should not … let the border issue define the general relationship between China and India”said the Chinese president, according to state agency Xinhua. He added that the ties between the two nations can be “Stable and long range” If both sides focus on seeing each other as partners, not rivals.

Gradual defrost in relations

Modi and Xi had already met last year in Russia at a meeting that resulted in a joint border patrol agreement. This movement has made room for a provisional defrost, which now seems to gain strength. The process has been accelerated in recent weeks amid the Indian attempt to protect themselves against the impact of new tariffs imposed by Washington.

As part of this reheating, Modi has announced that direct flights between India and China, suspended since 2020, will be resumed – although yet without a defined deadline. Beijing also recently agreed to suspend restrictions on rare land export, fertilizers and tunnel drilling machines during the visit of Chinese Chancellor Wang Yi to New Delhi.

The approach gained even more breath after statements from Xu Feihong, Chinese ambassador in India, who said this month that Beijing opposes the high tariffs imposed by the United States and that China “It will firmly support India” Faced with Washington’s measures.

Between advances and distrust

Despite cooperation gestures, the relationship is still marked by contradictions. In recent months, Beijing has authorized Indian pilgrims to visit Hindu and Buddhist sacred places in Tibet and both countries have suspended reciprocal restrictions on tourist visas. But experts warn that there is still a long way to build full confidence.

“Both India and China are involved in what will probably be a long and tense process to define a new balance in the relationship.”Avaliou manoj kewalramani, pesquisador do think tank takshashila institution, em bengaluru.

And the obstacles are not few. China is today the largest bilateral commercial partner in India, but New Déli’s deficit with Beijing has reached a record of $ 99.2 billion this year. In addition, the Chinese project to build a mega-barge in Tibeta raises serious concerns in New Delhi: Indian government studies indicate that the work could reduce the Brahmaputra River flow by up to 85% during the dry season, threatening millions of people depending on river water.

Other sensitive points remain on the table. India is still a refuge of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, considered by Beijing a separatist threat. And in the geopolitical board, Pakistan – a rival historical of India – continues to enjoy the firm support of China in economic, diplomatic and military areas.

A future in construction

The meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping does not eliminate decades of distrust, but represents a clear attempt to reposition the relationship at a time when both countries face external pressures. On the one hand, the United States intensifies punitive measures against New Delhi; On the other hand, Beijing seeks to strengthen regional ties amid growing wear with Washington.

Between diplomatic advances and old disputes, India and China seem willing to test a new route. If the logic of cooperation prevails, the path may open an unprecedented era of stability in the heart of Asia. But if suspicions grow again, the relationship will continue to oscillate between gestures of approach and crises that threaten not only the two countries, but the entire regional balance.

With information from CNN*