Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking ahead of his official visit to China, underlined the importance of cultivating stable, predictable, and friendly relations between India and China, describing such ties as essential not only for regional peace in Asia but also for the stability of the global economic system. He emphasized that, given the turbulence currently affecting the international economy—particularly due to US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies—India and China, as two of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, must cooperate closely to reinforce stability and ensure growth in the global economic order.
The remarks were delivered in Japan, where the Prime Minister was on an official visit, just one day before his scheduled departure for China to hold talks with President Xi Jinping. During an interview with the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, Modi stated, “In view of the uncertainty prevailing in the global economy, it becomes imperative for India and China to work together, as two major economies, to bring about stability in the world economic order.”
He added that India was prepared to advance its relations with China from a long-term and strategic perspective rooted in the principles of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity. According to him, enhanced strategic communication between the two countries would play a crucial role in overcoming developmental challenges while creating new opportunities for cooperation.
Reflecting on recent diplomatic engagements, Modi pointed out that relations between New Delhi and Beijing had shown measurable improvement over the past year. He stressed that strengthening these ties was not only vital for the two nations themselves but also for broader regional and global peace. “Stable, predictable, and friendly bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbours and as the most populous nations on earth, can make a significant contribution to ensuring regional peace and global prosperity. Such relations also serve as an essential foundation for building a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world,” he observed.
The background to these remarks is shaped by rising global economic tensions. US President Donald Trump recently announced a 50 percent tariff package against India, which includes a 25 percent import duty combined with an additional 25 percent levy targeting India’s oil trade with Russia. China, too, is under economic pressure, facing a cumulative 145 percent tariff hike imposed by Washington on Chinese exports, which includes an additional 125 percent reciprocal tariff over existing duties. Although implementation has been deferred temporarily, the move has already unsettled global trade dynamics.
In his interview, Modi further noted that since his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Kazan last year, India-China relations have witnessed what he described as “steady and positive progress.” He said the upcoming summit in China represents a critical platform for both nations to engage in discussions on shared interests, regional challenges, and global issues.
During his visit, Modi also held high-level deliberations with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other senior leaders. From Tokyo, he will travel to Tianjin on August 31 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The summit is expected to provide yet another opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between India and China. Key areas likely to dominate the discussions include economic cooperation, regional security, and mechanisms to enhance long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.
The renewed engagement comes after a difficult phase in India-China relations, particularly following the Galwan Valley clashes, which had strained diplomatic and military ties. However, in recent months, both sides have made visible efforts to de-escalate tensions and move toward a more stable relationship. High-level talks between the two governments have led to troop disengagement at certain contested points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Simultaneously, there have been encouraging signs on the economic front, including China relaxing restrictions on crucial exports to India and both nations exploring the resumption of direct flights and cross-border trade.
With these developments as the backdrop, Modi’s upcoming visit and his meeting with President Xi Jinping are being closely watched as significant steps in the effort to reset bilateral relations, reinforce economic cooperation, and strengthen regional stability in Asia.
