Xi Joins Hands with Modi and Putin: "Realizing the Dance of the Dragon and the Elephant"

SCO Summit Held Ahead of China's 80th Victory Day
Xi Jinping Holds Informal Talks with Vladimir Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front row right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (front row left) are conversing while taking a commemorative photo at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China, on the 31st of last month. Tianjin=Photo by TASS

Prior to China's 80th Victory Day anniversary ceremony, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, characterized as an "anti-U.S. alliance," was held on the largest scale since its founding in 2001. The meeting between Chinese and Russian strongmen seeking to reshape global power in response to the Donald Trump administration in the United States drew significant attention. Another key point of interest was China's effort to strengthen ties with India, a long-standing U.S. ally, targeting what it perceives as a "weak link" in U.S.-India relations.

On August 31, at the SCO summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with smiles and hospitality. President Putin's visit to China was his first in one year and three months, while Prime Minister Modi's visit was his first in about seven years. CNN noted, "President Xi, in a rare display of emotion, greeted President Putin."

President Xi reportedly held an informal conversation with President Putin before the welcome dinner, discussing various issues, including the U.S.-Russia summit. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Kremlin, told Russian media that President Putin and President Donald Trump discussed the Alaska summit, but declined to provide specific details.

On the same day, President Xi also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi to discuss key issues. This marked a rare moment of cooperation between China and India, traditionally seen as geopolitical rivals. President Xi stated, "Becoming friendly neighbors and partners and realizing 'the dance of the dragon and the elephant' is the right choice for both countries." Prime Minister Modi responded, "The relationship between our two countries is back on a positive track, and direct flights between India and China will soon resume," emphasizing that "India and China are partners, not competitors."

Earlier, on August 19, India's Ministry of External Affairs announced that it had agreed with China to resume border trade at three designated trading posts. As India, a long-standing U.S. ally, faced a 50% punitive tariff from the United States over imports of Russian oil, it appeared that India and China were moving to restore their relationship. The two countries also agreed on specific measures to promote trade and investment. Furthermore, they decided to resume direct passenger flights between the two countries, which had been suspended for five years. The visa issuance process will also be eased for tourists, businesspeople, journalists, and other visitors from both countries. India and China have also agreed to support each other's hosting of the BRICS summits scheduled for 2026 and 2027, respectively.

During the two-day SCO summit, which runs through September 1, the Tianjin Declaration is expected to set major cooperation goals and approve the SCO Development Strategy for 2035. However, The Washington Post pointed out that this summit is likely to be more of a "showcase event" than a meeting resulting in substantive agreements. Carla Freeman, director of the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, noted, "The countries participating in the SCO are united more by their grievances against the United States than by a shared sense of purpose," adding, "Each country is a major power with its own agenda."

Immediately after the SCO summit concludes, the 80th anniversary military parade commemorating Victory Day (the end of World War II) will be held in Beijing, the capital, starting on September 3. With President Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un attending, it is expected that the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia will gather together for the first time. Chairman Kim reportedly departed for the event on this day.

Aide Ushakov revealed to TASS, "During the military parade, President Putin will sit to the right of President Xi, and Chairman Kim will sit to the left," adding, "We are exploring the possibility of a bilateral meeting with Chairman Kim."