SCO Summit 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin was given a grand welcome. The Chinese government provided him with the iconic 'Hongqi L5' car, popularly known as 'Red Flag'. This is the same luxury car that President Xi Jinping uses on official visits and also used it during his meeting with PM Modi in Mahabalipuram in 2019.

Launched in 1958 by First Automotive Works (FAW), the car was made for top Communist Party leaders and is a symbol of 'Made in China'. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tianjin in his retro-styled luxury 'Aurus' car, built by Russian company Aurus Motors and bearing a Chinese diplomatic number plate.

Modi-Xi meeting: Emphasis on friendship between ' dragon and elephant '

In a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping during the summit, the two leaders emphasized on strengthening India-China relations. Xi said, "The dragon and the elephant should become friends," while PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to advance relations based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. He said that the cooperation of the two countries is linked to the welfare of 2.8 billion people and it is essential for global peace. The meeting praised peace and stability on the border after the 2020 Galwan clash, as well as discussed the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights.

A new beginning for India-China on the global stage

This meeting took place at a time when the US tariff dispute has affected the global economy. PM Modi said that the withdrawal of troops from the border has increased stability between the two countries. Xi Jinping emphasized on multilateral cooperation, calling India and China an important part of the global south. This meeting indicates new warmth in India-China relations, which can strengthen cooperation on forums like BRICS and SCO. PM Modi also invited Xi to India for the 2026 BRICS Summit. This visit and meeting is a symbol of solidarity of the two countries on the global stage.

PC:Khabarfast/Aajtak