In the Chinese city of Tianjin, on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SOW) summit, a anticipated gathering between China's leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place. This is the first Indian leader to visit the mediate State in 7 years, symbolizing the return in the relations of 2 Asian giants, the population of which together represents more than a 3rd of humanity.
Narendra Modi at Tianjin Airport, 31.08.2025The gathering held on Saturday is seen as an effort to “restart” common relations after years of tension. Since the bloody border clash in the Himalayas in 2020, Beijing and fresh Delhi relations have been highly cool. India blocked dozens of Chinese applications, tightened control over investments and strengthened cooperation with Japan and Australia, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
What fuels abrupt warming?
Analysts point to a common denominator that brought the 2 leaders closer together: the commercial policy of the Donald Trump administration. The fresh US announcement of 50% work on Indian goods, partially in consequence to India's continued Russian oil imports, pushed fresh Delhi to search alternate partnerships. As 1 expert put it, “Trump pushed Modi and Xi towards each other”. Given global economical uncertainty, the cooperation of the 2 largest economies in the planet is becoming crucial.
Xi Jinping welcomes Narendra Modi, Tiankin, 31.08.2025During the meeting, both leaders stressed the request for strategical dialog and common trust. Xi Jinping stated that the “dragon and elephant dance” should be the right choice for both parties, and relations should be viewed from a strategical and long-term perspective. Prime Minister Modi repeated to him, saying that India and China are partners alternatively than rivals, and their common points outweigh the differences. 1 of the first tangible effects of thawing is the fast resumption of direct air services, suspended since the pandemic.
International relevance
The Tianjin gathering is an chance for China to present its imagination of a fresh planet order and strengthen its function as the leader of the “Global South”, especially in the face of economical slowdown and trade tensions with the US. For India it is simply a demonstration of “strategic autonomy” – a signal that they will not succumb to force from 3rd parties and will conduct independent abroad policy.
Bilateral talks of China – India led by Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping, Tianjin, 31.08.201025The warming on the Beijing-New Delhi line may shake Washington's long-standing efforts to build an alliance with India to balance China's increasing influence in the region. A abrupt change in dynamics shows how smooth and unpredictable the global political scene is.
Why is this crucial to Poland?
From the Polish perspective, bringing together the 2 most populous countries in the planet is simply a strategical event. Firstly, it shows that fresh forces are being created in global politics, independent of the conventional division to the East and the West. For a country specified as Poland, whose economy is heavy embedded in global supply chains, any reconfiguration in trade between Asian powers can have long-term effects.
Secondly, India's turn towards China, motivated by US trade pressure, is simply a lesson on the consequences of customs wars. It shows that protectionism can lead to unexpected geopolitical shuffle, creating fresh alliances and weakening old ones. Finally, the cooperation of “dragon and elephant” can accelerate the construction of a multipolar planet in which Europe and Poland will gotta redefine their function and strategy.
Although there are inactive unresolved issues on the road to full normalisation of Chinese-Indian relations, specified as border disputes or China's construction of a dam close the Indian border, the gathering in Tianjin is simply a clear signal that economical pragmatism is beginning to take over historical animosities. The planet will watch closely the next steps of this Asian tango.
Source:
- Xi-Modi gathering in spotlight as leaders gather for China SCO summary, asia.nikkei.com
- Xi met Modi, China-India relations improved — What will Trump comment?, substack.com
- Trade War Newsletter 271, substack.com
- Xi says China-India relations have rebooted and moved forward, Xinhua, 2025-08-30
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
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