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China needs to seize the moment with India

It’s a rare window to move beyond suspicion and forge a stable Asian partnership. The key is to prevent a backslide.

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In this handout photograph taken on August 31, 2025 and released by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and China’s President Xi Jinping shake hands during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. Xi gathered the leaders of Russia and India among dignitaries from around 20 Eurasian countries on August 31, for a showpiece summit aimed at putting China front and centre of regional relations. (Photo by Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) / - " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping shake hands during a bilateral meeting on Aug 31.

PHOTO: AFP

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Watching Chinese President Xi Jinping speak in Tianjin on Aug 31, there was a sense of deja vu.

“The international situation is both fluid and chaotic,” Mr Xi said, looking across the table at India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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