{"id":52755,"date":"2025-09-01T19:25:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T13:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=52755"},"modified":"2025-09-05T11:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T06:14:46","slug":"china-india-partners-not-rivals-sco-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/01-09-2025\/china-india-partners-not-rivals-sco-summit","title":{"rendered":"China and India Pledge to be &#8216;partners not rivals&#8217;: SCO Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the <strong>sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Outcomes of SCO Summit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High-level Engagements: <\/strong>Both leaders met and welcomed the positive momentum in their ties.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reaffirmed they are development partners, not rivals; differences must not turn into disputes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Border Issues: <\/strong>Leaders noted successful border disengagement in 2024 and maintenance of peace since then.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dad8d8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"273\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bordermilestone.png\" alt=\"border milestone\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-52766\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dad8d8; width:446px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bordermilestone.png 470w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bordermilestone-300x174.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>People-to-People Ties: <\/strong>Agreed to expand exchanges through direct flights, visa facilitation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Building on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra resumption and tourist visas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic &amp; Trade Cooperation: <\/strong>Recognized their economies\u2019 role in stabilizing world trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multilateral Engagements: <\/strong>PM supported China\u2019s SCO Presidency and Tianjin Summit.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Invited President Xi to India\u2019s BRICS Summit 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>The Shanghai Five <\/strong>emerged in <strong>1996 <\/strong>from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks between<strong> 4 former USSR republics and China.<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan<\/strong> were members of the <strong>Shanghai Five.<\/strong><br>&#8211; With the accession of <strong>Uzbekistan<\/strong> to the group in <strong>2001<\/strong>, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.<br>&#8211; <strong>Objective:<\/strong> To enhance regional cooperation for efforts to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region.<br><strong>&#8211; Members (10): <\/strong>China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, and the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.<br>&#8211; India became a full member in <strong>2017 <\/strong>and assumed the rotating <strong>chairmanship in 2023.<\/strong><br>&#8211; Member countries contribute around <strong>30 per cent of the global GDP <\/strong>and about <strong>40 percent of the world\u2019s population<\/strong>.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; <strong>Observer status:<\/strong> Afghanistan and Mongolia.<br>&#8211; <strong>Language:<\/strong> The SCO&#8217;s official languages are Russian and Chinese.<br>&#8211; <strong>Structure: The supreme decision-making body<\/strong> of the SCO is the<strong> Council of Heads of States (CHS), <\/strong>which meets once a year.<br>&#8211; <strong>The Organization has 2 standing bodies<\/strong> \u2014 the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India-China Relations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2025 marks 75 Years <\/strong>of India-China diplomatic ties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Tensions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strained since the <strong>1962 Sino-Indian war,<\/strong> deepened by recent clashes and mistrust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2020:<\/strong> Post Galwan Valley clashes, India restricted Chinese investments, banned Chinese apps (e.g., TikTok), and halted flights to China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trade Relations: <\/strong>China was India\u2019s second-largest trading partner in FY2024\u201325. Out of total bilateral trade worth US$131.84 billion, India\u2019s trade deficit increased to US$99.2bn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ongoing Mechanisms: <\/strong>Despite tensions, mechanisms like the Special Representatives (SR) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-08-2024\/working-mechanism-for-consultation-coordination-wmcc-on-india-china-border-affairs\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-08-2024\/working-mechanism-for-consultation-coordination-wmcc-on-india-china-border-affairs\">Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) <\/a>have been in place to address the boundary issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recent Developments:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2024 Disengagement: <\/strong>India and China announced successful disengagement in eastern Ladakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2024 BRICS Meeting: <\/strong>PM Modi and President Xi Jinping emphasized &#8220;mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual sensitivity.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Areas of Concern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ongoing Border Tensions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The unresolved border dispute spans over 2,000 miles, marked by frequent clashes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incidents in Doklam (2017), Galwan Valley (2020), and northeastern states (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c0bdb0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c0bdb0;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"406\" height=\"230\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McMahon-line.png\" alt=\"mac mohan line\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-52768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McMahon-line.png 406w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McMahon-line-300x170.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Military Infrastructure: <\/strong>Both countries have heavily fortified their border with roads, railways, and airstrips for rapid troop mobilization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Belt and Road Initiative<\/strong> (BRI): <\/strong>India has expressed reservations about China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative, especially regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through the territory of India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trade imbalance: <\/strong>While politically desirable, reducing trade dependence is complicated by China\u2019s economic influence and India\u2019s need for foreign investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>China\u2019s growing presence in the Neighbouring Region:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sri Lanka: <\/strong>China\u2019s presence at Hambantota Port and investments in an oil refinery raise concerns in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nepal: <\/strong>China\u2019s investments in infrastructure (e.g., Pokhara airport) challenge India\u2019s strategic position.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bangladesh: <\/strong>China\u2019s growing influence, including loan agreements, threatens India\u2019s regional influence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Myanmar:<\/strong> China\u2019s deepening ties with Myanmar, including the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, strengthen its presence in India\u2019s backyard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Tianjin meeting reflects measured progress in restoring stability along the LAC since the 2020 Galwan clash.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As India and China look to build mutual trust, sustained dialogue will be essential to better align India\u2019s and China\u2019s intentions vis-\u00e0-vis the Asian security order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2162428\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin.\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Outcomes of SCO Summit<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">High-level Engagements: Both leaders met and welcomed the positive momentum in their ties.\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Reaffirmed they are development partners, not rivals; differences must not turn into disputes.\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/01-09-2025\/china-india-partners-not-rivals-sco-summit\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52755"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53140,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52755\/revisions\/53140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}