Peace and Tranquility Along Border Essential for Strong India-China Ties, Says PM Modi

PTI, Tianjin (China), Aug 31, 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that peace and tranquility along the border act as an "insurance policy" for India-China relations during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted this key point, noting that maintaining stability at the border is crucial for the overall health of bilateral ties between the two nations.

The two leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions focused on rebuilding their relationship, which had been severely strained by the over four-year-long border standoff in eastern Ladakh, which was resolved in October last year. Misri mentioned that while Xi had remarked that the border issue should not define the entirety of India-China relations, India has consistently maintained that peace along the frontier is vital for smooth diplomatic engagement.

"From the very beginning, we have maintained at various levels that the situation on the boundary will inevitably have some impact on bilateral relations," Misri said during a media briefing. "And that is precisely why the most important kind of 'insurance policy' for our bilateral ties is to maintain peace and tranquility on the boundary."

Prime Minister Modi conveyed this sentiment directly to President Xi, underlining the importance of maintaining calm at the border to ensure the continued growth of bilateral ties. Misri confirmed that the issue of the boundary was discussed in depth, with both leaders acknowledging the successful disengagement of troops last year and the continued peace along the border since then.

"The prime minister underlined the need for peace and tranquility on the border areas for continued and smooth development of bilateral relations," Misri said, adding that both sides agreed to use existing mechanisms to prevent any disturbances to the relationship.

Furthermore, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a "fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question" in a manner that reflects their overall bilateral relations and long-term interests.

When asked about the timeline for de-escalation along the border, Misri stated that discussions on the matter would continue within the designated mechanisms. He also noted that Prime Minister Modi raised the issue of cross-border terrorism during the talks, emphasizing its priority for both nations. The Prime Minister called for mutual understanding and support in combating terrorism, which impacts both India and China.

"We have received the understanding and cooperation of China as we have dealt with the issue of cross-border terrorism in the context of the ongoing SCO summit," Misri stated.

In addition to discussing border issues and terrorism, President Xi made four key suggestions to further upgrade bilateral ties. These included strengthening strategic communication, deepening mutual trust, expanding cooperation for mutual benefit, accommodating each other's concerns, and enhancing multilateral cooperation to safeguard common interests. Prime Minister Modi responded positively to all these suggestions, Misri added.

The two leaders also expressed their belief that differences between India and China should not be allowed to evolve into disputes, signaling a commitment to managing their relations responsibly moving forward.