PM Modi attends SCO summit reception in Chinese port city Tianjin
PM Modi shook hands with President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. He then joined other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a group photograph, which symbolised the unity and cooperation among the participating nations.
News Arena Network - Tianjin - UPDATED: August 31, 2025, 07:47 PM - 2 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the official reception for Heads of States and Heads of Governments at the SCO summit in Tianjin on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit Official Reception in Tianjin, China, on Sunday evening. He was greeted with a warm welcome by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Upon his arrival at the reception venue, PM Modi shook hands with President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. He then joined other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a group photograph, which symbolised the unity and cooperation among the participating nations. The formal programme for the SCO summit was scheduled to begin the following morning, on September 1.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi engaged in several bilateral meetings. A significant one was with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that both leaders acknowledged the crucial role their respective economies play in stabilising global trade. They also focused on enhancing "people-to-people" connections by discussing direct flights, visa facilitation, and the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
The two leaders acknowledged the need to broaden political and strategic direction in order to support bilateral trade and investment and to address the trade deficit, according to the MEA statement, which provided further details on the talks. Following their most recent meeting in Kazan in October 2024, they praised the positive momentum and consistent advancement in bilateral relations. Both leaders reiterated that China and India are development partners rather than competitors and that disagreements shouldn't be permitted to turn into confrontations.
PM Modi invited President Xi Jinping to the BRICS Summit, which India will host in 2026, during the meeting. In addition to thanking India for the invitation, President Xi pledged China's support for India's BRICS Presidency. India is getting ready to succeed the current BRICS president, Brazil, as the organisation's leader.
PM Modi also met bilaterally with Myanmar's military chief and acting president, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on the fringes of the SCO Summit. According to the MEA, PM Modi emphasised India's dedication to its relationship with Myanmar in accordance with its Indo-Pacific, "Neighbourhood First," and "Act East" policies.
They examined bilateral relations and talked about a range of cooperation topics, such as border management, defense and security, development partnerships, and border trade issues. Additionally, PM Modi expressed his hope that all parties involved in the impending elections in Myanmar would be included in a fair and inclusive process. He underlined India's support for a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process, emphasising that peaceful dialogue and consultation are the only way forward.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo during a ceremony to welcome Heads of States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, on Sunday.
PM Modi's arrival in Tianjin on Saturday was marked by a red carpet reception at the Binhai International Airport, where he was received by senior Indian and Chinese officials. The Indian diaspora in China gathered to welcome him, chanting slogans such as "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" as he arrived at his hotel.
The SCO summit holds particular importance for India, as it follows the implementation of the US's 50 pc tariffs. Notably, a 25 pc tariff was imposed on New Delhi for its purchase of Russian crude oil.
Follow us
