Tianjin, China (Republicpk.com) — Against the backdrop of a shifting global order and rising geopolitical tensions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a high-level meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, signaling a cautious yet deliberate thaw in bilateral relations.
According to BBC URDU, President Xi, in his opening remarks, acknowledged the turbulence of the international landscape, describing it as a time of “chaos and change.” Yet his tone quickly pivoted to one of poetic optimism. “China and India are not only the two ancient civilizations of the East,” he said, “but also the world’s two most populous countries and part of the Global South.” He urged both nations to become “partners who contribute to each other’s success,” invoking the vivid metaphor of “dragons and elephants dancing together.”
Prime Minister Modi echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the destinies of 2.8 billion people hinge on the strength of Sino-Indian cooperation. “India is committed to taking its relations with China forward,” he stated, framing the dialogue as a step toward mutual progress rather than rivalry.
The meeting, held at the delegation level, comes amid longstanding border tensions and economic competition. Yet the leaders’ rhetoric suggests a strategic recalibration, one that prioritizes regional stability, trade, and shared leadership within the Global South.
While no major agreements were announced, the symbolism of the encounter was unmistakable. In a world increasingly defined by fragmentation, the image of the dragon and elephant moving in harmony offers a rare glimpse of diplomatic possibility.