China and India Seek Cooperation Amid Rising Tensions at SCO Summit

The 25th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin marked a significant thaw in the historically strained relationship between China and India. During a pivotal meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that their nations, as two major Eastern civilizations and the world's most populous countries, must work together as partners rather than rivals. Their cooperation, they asserted, could potentially lead to Asia emerging as a powerful force in the 21st century. The backdrop to this rapprochement is a complicated history, exacerbated by a significant border confrontation in the Himalayas back in 2020, which resulted in fatalities on both sides and plunged bilateral relations into turmoil. The fallout from this conflict has manifested in various ways, including trade restrictions, suspended direct flights, and a severe slowdown in political dialogue. In a moment of potential healing, Xi highlighted the shared responsibilities of China and India in promoting multilateralism and justice on the global stage. Modi reciprocated by voicing the importance of strategic autonomy and an independent foreign policy, advocating for relations unaffected by external pressures. Notably, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the trade deficit that remains a significant hurdle in the bilateral relationship. He acknowledged that reducing this deficit is essential for strengthening ties between the two nations. As of 2023, the trade imbalance between India and China stood at over $100 billion, making it one of the largest in the world. Misri indicated that approaching this issue strategically could foster mutual trust and enhance the economic exchanges between these emerging powers. Beyond the India-China discussions, Xi's agenda at the summit included meetings with leaders from various nations, such as Azerbaijan and Armenia, focusing on their recent peace agreement and efforts to stabilize the region. His engagements extended to Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko, along with leaders from the Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey, where he underscored the stabilizing role of the SCO amidst global uncertainties. The SCO summit is not just a platform for China and India but encompasses multiple nations, including Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian states, representing roughly 40% of the world's population. However, unlike NATO, the SCO does not include mutual defense agreements, positioning itself as a forum for collaboration in political, economic, and security issues. As the summit progresses, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also in attendance, the leaders are expected to approve the 'Tianjin Declaration', outline a development strategy for the bloc, and finalize several cooperation agreements spanning security, economy, and culture. In essence, the meeting between Xi and Modi signals a possible turning point for China-India relations, which could set the stage for a more cooperative and balanced partnership, pivotal for the stability and growth of the region in the coming years. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2