SCO Summit 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi, Xi Jinping Discuss Maintaining Peace Along Borders, Joint Efforts Against Terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a cordial interaction with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, highlighting the warm and expanding friendship between India and Armenia based on mutual cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh, emphasising India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in defence, trade, green energy, and other areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Lao PDR President Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the Tianjin SCO Summit and highlighted that strengthening India-Laos ties would be mutually beneficial, especially in trade and cultural cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO Summit reception in Tianjin, China, where he posed for a group photo alongside other world leaders.

PM Narendra Modi met Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, highlighting growing trade and cultural ties between India and Tajikistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and expressed optimism about future opportunities between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Nepal PM KP Oli on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. He highlighted India’s developmental cooperation with the Maldives and described ties with Nepal as “deep-rooted and very special.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the Official Reception for Heads of States and Governments at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

PM Modi met Myanmar’s acting President Min Aung Hlaing ahead of the SCO Summit, marking their second meeting this year after the April BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

Xi Jinping formally welcomed PM Modi at the SCO Summit’s official reception.

PM Modi met Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, sharing his vision for stronger India-China ties. Cai expressed China’s intent to expand exchanges and improve relations in line with the leaders’ consensus.

In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in Tianjin on 31 August 2025. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and China are partners, not rivals, underscoring the importance of border peace and cooperation for global trade stability. They agreed to enhance economic ties, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and expand collaboration on regional and global issues. PM Modi also invited President Xi to the 2026 BRICS Summit in India, which Xi assured support for. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in turn, called on both sides to look at bilateral ties through a “long-term and strategic lens” rather than being driven by short-term challenges. “The world is undergoing transformation. China and India are two of the oldest civilisational nations and the world’s two most populous countries. It is vital for the Dragon and the Elephant to come together, to be friends and good neighbours,” Xi said during his interaction with Modi. Xi also underlined the need for Beijing and New Delhi to uphold multilateralism and support a multipolar world order at a time when the United States is increasing tariff pressure on both nations. “Both countries have historic responsibilities to work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond. We must advance more democracy in international institutions,” the Chinese leader said, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi stressed that the “interests of 2.8 billion people of India and China are linked” and their cooperation will “pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity.” "We are committed to progressing our relations based on mutual respect, trust and sensitivities," PM Modi told Xi during the meeting, according to a video clip posted on the Indian leader's official X account. The bilateral meeting took place five days after Washington imposed punishing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods due to New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Analysts say Xi and Modi are looking to present a united front against Western pressure. PM Modi said an atmosphere of "peace and stability" has been created on their disputed Himalayan border, the site of a prolonged military standoff after deadly troop clashes in 2020, which froze most areas of cooperation between the nuclear-armed strategic rivals. He added that an agreement had been reached between both nations regarding border management, without giving details. Both leaders had a breakthrough meeting in Russia last year after reaching a border patrol agreement, setting off a tentative thaw in ties that has accelerated in recent weeks as New Delhi seeks to hedge against renewed tariff threats from Washington. Direct flights between both nations, which have been suspended since 2020, are "being resumed", PM Modi added, without providing a timeframe.

In a notable development during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China and Armenia announced a new strategic partnership on Sunday, according to Chinese state media CCTV. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and emphasised that both nations should support each other and improve cooperation in all areas. This move reflects Beijing's increasing involvement in the South Caucasus region as it builds diplomatic and economic ties beyond its nearby areas. Pashinyan, who is in Tianjin for the SCO Summit hosted by Xi, welcomed the agreement. It is expected to strengthen political trust, boost economic collaboration, and enhance cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun a bilateral meeting in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, state media outlet Xinhua said on Sunday. This marked their first bilateral meeting of 2025 and Modi’s first visit to China in over seven years. The discussions came against the backdrop of strained India-China ties since the 2020 Galwan clash and recent tensions in global trade triggered by US tariff hikes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet today, their first in more than seven months, for wide-ranging talks aimed at improving relations. The meeting comes on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The timing of PM Modi’s visit carries added significance given the strain in India-US relations following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, including 25 per cent penalties on crude oil purchases from Russia. Washington has also accused New Delhi of “fueling Moscow’s war economy.”

The talks are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including border management, trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. While the border dispute remains unresolved, both sides have recently signalled readiness to stabilise ties through dialogue. Just ahead of the summit, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 24th round of boundary talks in New Delhi, agreeing on a 10-point consensus to improve border management and set up an expert group on early delimitation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Moscow and Beijing are united in strengthening the BRICS group to tackle global issues. In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, before the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, Putin highlighted the growing cooperation between the two nations in multilateral platforms. He emphasized their role in transforming BRICS into a key part of the global framework and supporting reforms in global financial institutions. 

In the interview, Putin reiterated his support for reforming the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He called for a 'new financial system' that is based on true fairness and equal access for all nations. The Russian President also criticised the use of financial tools as a form of neo-colonialism and stated that BRICS aims for inclusive progress that benefits the Global Majority. "Together with our Chinese partners, we support the reform of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. We agree that a new financial system must be based on openness and true equity, giving equal and fair access to its tools for all countries and reflecting the real position of member states in the global economy. It is essential to stop using finance as a tool of neo-colonialism, which goes against the interests of the Global Majority. Instead, we seek progress for the benefit of all humanity," Putin stated, as quoted by Xinhua News Agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tianjin on Sunday morning to take part in the summit. According to the Russian side, Putin is accompanied by a "large and significant" delegation to China, which includes three deputy prime ministers, more than 10 ministers, and representatives from major enterprises.

Putin will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi on Monday. In a pre-summit interview, the Russian leader stressed on “strengthening BRICS and SCO as pillars of a multipolar world” and criticised what he called “discriminatory sanctions.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Tianjin, China, on Saturday afternoon to attend the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, received a grand welcome at both the airport and his hotel. As he arrived at the venue, chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" were raised by members of the Indian diaspora. Additionally, he was welcomed with traditional Indian dance and music performances. The prime minister arrived in this Chinese city from Japan in the second and final leg of his two-nation tour.