In a significant statement ahead of his visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the critical importance of cooperation between India and China to stabilise the global economy. Speaking in a written interview with the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, PM Modi drew attention to the volatility currently gripping the world economy and underscored how the two Asian giants, as major economic powers, must work hand in hand to restore stability and foster peace across the region and beyond. His remarks come at a crucial time, as global trade tensions escalate and geopolitical uncertainties affect economic prospects worldwide.

PM Modi highlighted that maintaining stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China can create a positive ripple effect, promoting peace and prosperity regionally and globally. Given the historic complexity of India-China relations, including disputes along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, his comments signal a willingness to prioritise long-term strategic cooperation over episodic conflict. PM Modi emphasised that this collaboration is essential not just for bilateral ties but also for a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world, where regional powers work together to balance global dynamics.

He affirmed that India is ready to advance its relationship with China on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity, aiming to tackle developmental challenges and enhance strategic communication. The upcoming SCO summit in Tianjin, China, provides an important platform for PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss shared goals and address regional challenges, including economic instability and geopolitical tensions. This approach contrasts with the growing trade frictions India faces with the United States, which recently imposed steep tariffs affecting India’s exports, including oil imports from Russia. PM Modi’s appeal for India-China cooperation is thus a strategic message underscoring that Asian collaboration is pivotal for global economic order.

Healing Relations Amid Global Economic Turbulence

The recent five-year military standoff between India and China along their border has strained ties, but both nations appear to be exploring pathways toward reconciliation and partnership. PM Modi’s comments underscore an evolving diplomatic strategy that balances a pragmatic acknowledgement of historical issues with a forward-looking intent to stabilise and strengthen ties. His interview points towards a readiness on India’s part to engage China in a relationship that is stable and predictable, enabling both to focus on mutual economic growth and geopolitical stability in Asia.

PM Modi’s emphasis on India-China collaboration is especially relevant against the backdrop of the sweeping tariff policies initiated by the United States, which have triggered trade tensions with both nations. India faces increased duties on exports to the US, notably targeting its oil trade with Russia, while China contends with even higher cumulative tariffs. These US actions have pushed India and China toward recalibrating their engagement, recognising that regional cooperation can act as a counterbalance to external economic pressures and uncertainties.

The Prime Minister also situates this potential India-China partnership within the larger context of a multi-polar world order. By stressing the need for a multipolar Asia, he echoes India’s vision for a global system where no single power dominates and where regional powers share responsibility for maintaining stability and prosperity. This reflects India’s broader foreign policy priority of reformed multilateralism and balanced global relations, equipping it to play a more assertive role on the world stage alongside China and other emerging economies.

Strategic Cooperation Beyond Economics

Beyond stabilising the world economy, PM Modi’s message conveys the importance of political and strategic dialogue between India and China. It signals a willingness to manage differences pragmatically while exploring avenues for cooperation that can benefit both nations tangibly. PM Modi reiterated that mutual respect and sensitivity must guide bilateral ties, taking into account their complex history but focusing on the changing needs of the 21st century world order.

The SCO summit itself, which gathers regional powers including Russia, Iran, and Central Asian states, is a fitting venue for India and China to renew their commitment to collective security and regional development. PM Modi’s engagement with China at this platform is also aligned with India’s strategic partnerships elsewhere, such as its strengthened relationship with Japan and its Indo-Pacific vision. These interconnected efforts aim to promote peace, stability, and economic growth in a region shaped by increasing geopolitical shifts and uncertainties.

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