AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling it a failure that left critical Indian concerns unaddressed. The Hyderabad MP, in a scathing post on X, accused the leaders of prioritizing photo opportunities over substantive issues like China’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. Owaisi’s remarks, made on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, have reignited debate over India’s diplomatic approach to its complex relationship with China.
Owaisi highlighted several unresolved issues, including China’s refusal to share hydrological river data, essential for managing cross-border water resources. He pointed to the ongoing border tensions in Ladakh, noting that Indian soldiers are still unable to patrol buffer zones established after the 2020 Galwan clash, and local graziers have been denied access to traditional grazing areas. The AIMIM chief also criticized the lack of progress on resuming China’s supply of rare earth materials and other critical items, as well as its failure to commit to increasing imports from India to address the growing trade deficit. “These are the issues that matter to Indians, not the photo op, the colour of jacket, or the length of the carpet,” Owaisi said, dismissing the meeting as superficial.
The Modi-Xi meeting, held on the margins of the SCO summit, was framed by both leaders as a step toward stabilizing bilateral ties strained by the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff. According to an Indian readout, the leaders agreed to pursue a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable” solution to the border issue and committed to expanding trade and investment ties to counter global trade disruptions, particularly following U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Modi emphasized the need for peace along the border as a foundation for stronger relations, advocating for mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity. The leaders also vowed to cooperate on regional and global challenges, including terrorism and fair trade, within multilateral platforms like the SCO.
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Despite these pledges, Owaisi argued that the talks failed to deliver concrete outcomes on issues vital to India’s security and economic interests. He questioned why no progress was made on critical matters like China’s military ties with Pakistan or the restoration of pre-2020 border patrolling rights. The lack of commitments on trade imbalances and resource sharing, he claimed, underscored the meeting’s shortcomings. The summit, attended by over 20 world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, was overshadowed by global trade tensions, with India facing pressure from U.S. tariffs and seeking to strengthen ties with China to stabilize its economy.
As India navigates its role in a multipolar world, Owaisi’s critique reflects growing domestic scrutiny of Modi’s foreign policy. While the government hailed the meeting as a step toward rebuilding trust, the AIMIM chief’s remarks highlight persistent concerns about unresolved border disputes and economic dependencies. With the SCO summit concluding on September 1, 2025, the Modi-Xi talks have sparked a broader conversation about India’s strategic priorities, leaving many questioning whether the engagement will yield tangible results or remain, as Owaisi put it, a missed opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
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