Tianjin, August 31, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have called for deeper cooperation between India and China, even as thousands of troops remain deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where they discussed ways to stabilize bilateral ties amid continuing border sensitivities. Modi underlined the need for peace and trust, stating that both nations should focus on “security, connectivity, and opportunity” in the region. Xi, meanwhile, stressed that India and China must view each other as “partners, not rivals.”

Talks also covered easing travel and trade restrictions, with proposals to improve visa processes and expand direct flights. Both sides noted progress in reducing tensions in certain areas of the border but acknowledged that the full restoration of normalcy would take time.

Despite the presence of a significant number of soldiers along the LAC, both leaders agreed that unresolved issues should not overshadow broader cooperation. Analysts described the meeting as an attempt to balance competition with engagement, highlighting the importance of maintaining dialogue to prevent escalation.

The meeting signals cautious optimism, though challenges on the border continue to define the relationship between the two Asian powers.