Stable India-China ties will give boost to global peace: PM's message from Japan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that stable, predictable, and friendly relations between India and China are essential for global peace and stability, particularly amid the uncertainties triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures. His remarks came a day before his visit to China and his scheduled meeting with President Xi Jinping.

In an interview with the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, PM Modi highlighted recent improvements in bilateral ties and underscored their importance for regional as well as global peace. He noted that these relations hold significance not only for the two countries but also for the wider Asian region.

"Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbours and the two largest nations on earth, can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity. This is also crucial for a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world," PM Modi said.

Addressing global economic concerns, Prime Minister Modi noted the prevailing volatility in the world economy and emphasised the need for India and China, as major economic powers, to work together to help stabilise the global economic order.

"Given the current volatility in the world economy, it is also important for India and China, as two major economies, to work together to bring stability to the world economic order. India is ready to advance bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, and to enhance strategic communication to address our developmental challenges," the Prime Minister remarked.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India, comprising 25 per cent import duties and an additional 25 per cent levy on India’s oil trade with Russia. Similarly, China is under pressure from Washington after the US raised tariffs on Chinese goods to a cumulative 145 per cent, including a 125 per cent reciprocal tariff on top of existing duties, though its implementation has been deferred for now.

PM Modi, in his interview with the newspaper, also noted that since his meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year, there has been “steady and positive progress” in India-China relations. He said the upcoming summit offers an important platform to discuss shared interests and address regional challenges.

The Prime Minister is currently in Japan for an official visit, where he held several high-level discussions, including with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba. He will travel to Tianjin on August 31 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

The SCO meeting is expected to further strengthen India-China ties by providing a forum to discuss bilateral concerns, regional stability, and global issues. Economic cooperation and regional security are likely to dominate the agenda, with discussions aimed at paving the way for deeper collaboration and mutual understanding.

After a prolonged period of heightened border tensions and strained diplomatic ties since the Galwan clashes, India and China have recently been working towards resetting their relationship. This shift is driven by a renewed focus on diplomatic engagement and a pragmatic desire to de-escalate long-standing disputes.

The two nations have held high-level talks, resulting in the disengagement of troops from certain contested areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Additionally, there have been positive developments in economic cooperation, including China easing curbs on key exports to India and discussions to resume direct flights and border trade.

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