Former Rivals Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi Speak with One Voice on "Cooperation and Multilateralism"

Amid a recent thaw in relations between China and India, which have long been at odds over issues such as the Himalayan border dispute, the leaders of both countries have reiterated their message of "strengthening cooperation."

Indian and Chinese leaders shaking hands. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Xinhua News Agency on August 31, President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit at the Tianjin State Guesthouse. Xi stated, "The two countries must enhance strategic communication and deepen mutual trust," adding, "As long as we maintain the overarching direction that we are cooperation partners, not rivals, and that we are opportunities for each other's development, not threats, the relationship between China and India can remain stable and go far."

President Xi emphasized, "We must jointly safeguard peace and stability in the border areas, and the border issue should not be allowed to define the overall China-India relationship." He also stated, "We should strengthen multilateral cooperation, safeguard our common interests, and jointly promote the multipolarization of the world and the democratization of international relations, thereby contributing to peace and prosperity not only in Asia but also around the world."

Prime Minister Modi responded, "India and China are partners, not rivals, and the areas of common understanding far outweigh the differences." He added, "India approaches and develops its relationship with China from a long-term perspective." Modi further stressed, "Amid the high degree of uncertainty in the global economy, it is extremely important for India and China, as major global economies, to strengthen cooperation. Both countries maintain strategic autonomy and independent diplomacy, and the relationship between India and China is not influenced by any third party."

Prime Minister Modi also remarked, "Cooperation between the two countries will help make the 21st century truly the Asian century, and by joining hands, both nations will increase the power of multilateralism in future international affairs." Regarding the border dispute, he stated, "India is willing to seek a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the border issue with China."