Historic Handshake: PM Modi and President Xi Set for Pivotal Bilateral Talks at SCO Summit

Astana, Kazakhstan – The diplomatic world is abuzz as Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a highly anticipated bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This crucial engagement marks their first in-person interaction since the 2019 BRICS summit, signaling a potentially pivotal moment in the complex India-China relationship.

PM Modi arrived in Astana on Friday for the annual SCO Leaders' Summit, a platform for regional security and economic cooperation.

His schedule has been packed with high-level engagements, including a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and significant discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring India's active role in multilateral diplomacy.

However, all eyes are firmly fixed on the forthcoming talks with President Xi.

The relationship between the two Asian giants has been under considerable strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in May 2020. This incident triggered a prolonged military standoff in Eastern Ladakh, leading to a significant downturn in high-level political exchanges.

Despite numerous rounds of military and diplomatic talks at various levels, a complete resolution to the border impasse has remained elusive.

Both sides have deployed tens of thousands of troops and advanced weaponry along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), maintaining a cautious vigil. This meeting offers a critical opportunity for the leaders to directly address these unresolved issues and explore pathways towards de-escalation and normalization.

Sources indicate that the leaders are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship, assessing the progress – or lack thereof – in resolving border issues and discussing broader areas of cooperation and contention.

While border tensions have dominated headlines, it's noteworthy that trade between India and China has continued to grow, highlighting the intricate economic interdependencies that persist.

The SCO summit itself provides a rich backdrop for these discussions, bringing together leaders from across Eurasia to deliberate on regional security, economic development, and cultural cooperation.

For India and China, two founding members of the SCO, the ability to find common ground and manage their bilateral differences is paramount not only for their own stability but also for the broader regional and global order.

This Sunday's meeting is more than just a formal handshake; it's a window into the future trajectory of India-China ties.

It represents a vital chance for leadership-level dialogue to inject fresh momentum into efforts aimed at restoring trust, de-escalating tensions, and finding pragmatic solutions to enduring challenges. The world watches keenly as two of its most influential leaders convene to shape the narrative of their indispensable, yet often fraught, relationship.