Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi Reaffirm China-India Partnership Amid Tensions

What changed

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Sept. 12 during the 18th BRICS leaders’ summit. The two leaders said China and India should be “partners rather than opponents” and reached important consensus on advancing bilateral ties, according to China News Service.

Xi said high-level exchanges had resumed, the cooperation agenda had expanded and bilateral trade had reached a new high. He proposed four priorities: a rational strategic view of each other, mutually beneficial cooperation, parallel progress on relations and boundary issues, and closer coordination in BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Group of 20.

Xi also called for expanded people-to-people exchanges and direct flights, balanced handling of economic concerns, and continued peace along the border.

Modi said India wanted to be a partner rather than an opponent and viewed China’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge. He said India’s independent foreign policy meant its relations with China would not be shaped by third parties, while maintaining its existing positions on Taiwan and Tibet. India also said it would not allow anti-China activities on its territory, and both sides agreed to work to preserve border peace.

Why it matters

The meeting puts cooperation, border stability and economic frictions on the same track. Both governments are publicly reframing the relationship around development opportunities while acknowledging that unresolved security and trade questions still require management.

The stated approach could create room for more official contact, commercial cooperation and travel links. But the diplomatic language does not itself resolve the boundary dispute or other sources of tension. The relationship’s progress will depend on whether the proposed dual-track approach produces practical measures alongside political messaging.

What to watch next

• Whether China and India expand direct flights and people-to-people exchanges.
• Whether trade discussions produce progress on each side’s economic concerns.
• Whether border calm is maintained as bilateral ties and boundary negotiations proceed in parallel.
• How the two countries coordinate as India completes its BRICS chairmanship and China prepares to assume the chair next year.