Vladimir Putin was present at the welcoming ceremony at the summit in Tianjin, China – whose formal program starts on Monday. Putin is seen in a post on the social network X from Russia's Foreign Ministry shaking hands with the Chinese leader.
Sunday was otherwise marked by a bilateral meeting between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping – the leaders of the world's two most populous countries. They are now betting hard on trying to put the border conflict that erupted between the countries five years ago behind them.
Economic development in focus
Modi said in an opening speech that India's relationship with China is moving in the right direction and that peace and openness now characterize the situation around the disputed border area between the countries, reports the news agency AP with reference to a statement from India's Foreign Ministry.
Modi also stated that after a five-year stop, direct flights between China and India will now be opened again. Modi's visit to China follows the Trump administration recently introducing 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods – the highest tariff level the US has on any Asian country.
Xi responded by saying in a speech that he hopes the summit – organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) – will continue to stabilize the countries' relationship and that the focus is now not on the border issue but on economic development.
The summit gives Putin an opportunity to have direct talks with Xi and Modi in the coming days to discuss the situation after the summit with US President Donald Trump in Alaska over two weeks ago – where the main issue was discussions on how to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Military parade in Beijing
Others who will join among the twenty-odd countries participating in the SCO meeting are Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Some of the meeting's guests, including Putin, are said to follow Xi to Beijing after the meeting is concluded to watch a large military parade on September 3 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan during World War II.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will also attend the parade.
