Tianjin: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convenes a private meeting with Myanmar's interim President, General Min Aung Hlaing, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit's offshoot discussions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025.
The meetings came after the US imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian crude oil imports, a move that has significantly impacted India's economy. The SCO summit, therefore, holds significant importance for India, as it offers a platform for diplomatic discussions and potential trade alliances.
During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM Modi emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility along the border areas for the continued development of bilateral relations. The leaders recognized the important decisions taken by the two Special Representatives in their talks earlier this month, noting with satisfaction the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of peace since then.
PM Modi also met Chinese Communist Party top leader Cai Qi during his visit to Tianjin. The meeting focused on bilateral economic, political, and people-to-people exchanges between India and China. Both leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question.
In another significant development, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Myanmar's acting President and military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. This was the second meeting between PM Modi and Myanmar's military leader, with the first one happening in April 2025 on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
The meeting followed Myanmar's announcement that elections will begin on December 28, 2025, marking the first polls in the country in nearly five years. The elections follow a 2021 coup that unseated an elected civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The SCO summit is scheduled to kick off at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin. The SCO comprises 10 members, including India, which has been a member since 2017. During the summit, PM Modi is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
India has been an observer of the SCO since 2005. The two countries reaffirmed their development partnership and stated that their differences should not turn into disputes. The leaders agreed to further support the efforts of the Special Representatives.
The meetings and discussions at the SCO summit underscore the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in navigating economic challenges and maintaining peace in the region.
