Daily Briefing: Modi, Xi, and Putin — the Tianjin trio

Modi and Putin are scheduled to meet once again later today. The meeting comes against the backdrop of the US penalty on India for its purchase of Russian oil.

Modi is in China after seven years, marking his first visit since disengagement began in eastern Ladakh amid efforts to repair bilateral ties. He met Xi on the sidelines of the summit on Sunday. Here are some key takeaways:

👉 Both sides emphasised that the countries were “partners, not rivals” — an important shift in New Delhi’s position on China. PM Modi noted that both countries pursue “strategic autonomy”, and that their relations should not be viewed through a “third country lens” (read: the US).

👉 As both countries move towards normalisation of ties, it was clear that there was some divergence on the border issue. While India emphasised peace and tranquillity at the border as an “insurance policy” for bilateral ties, the Chinese side said they should “not let the border issue define overall China-India relationship”. Read Deeptiman Tiwary’s report on how border tensions cooled down over the past year, and where things stand as of now.

My colleague Shubhajit Roy, reporting from ground zero in Tianjin, has more insights on the SCO summit.

Also read: Columnist C Raja Mohan reflects on how Trump’s pressure on friends and foes alike has compelled Asian actors to recalibrate their ties.

On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition. 👇

⚡Only in Express

Speaking of tariffs… The US tariffs have brought into focus the hurdles that India’s structural anomalies and market distortions place on manufacturers and exporters. Consider, for instance, the tariffs and non-tariff barriers on the import of man-made fibres. The higher costs make manufacturing of non-cotton garments, which comprise 70 per cent of garments sold worldwide, difficult in India. While exporters are looking to relocate their manufacturing base outside of India, many have also demanded certain interventions from the government. Read.

📰 From the Front Page

Rs 14,619 crore. That’s how much it will cost the government to conduct the 2027 Census, which will also include caste enumeration. This will be the first “Digital Census”, with dedicated mobile applications for data collection and a website for real-time monitoring and management. The government plans to rope in over 35 lakh enumerators and supervisors for the nationwide exercise, which will be carried out in two phases starting April 2026. Citizens will also have the option to self-enumerate. My colleague Harikishan Sharma has more details.

Stop! UAE-based business magnate M A Yusuff Ali wants to bring his global chain of Lulu shopping malls to his hometown in Kerala’s Thrissur. His efforts, however, have hit a hurdle — a 61-year-old paddy farmer fighting for the preservation of dwindling patches of wetlands in the state. At the crux of the legal battle is the patch of land in Ayyanthole village where the Lulu Group wants to construct a mall and hypermarket. This patch was once designated as a paddy field, which cannot be used for non-agricultural purposes.

📌 Must Read

A ‘philosophical leap’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent speech in Delhi reflected a shift in the organisation’s perspective. Bhagwat talked about going beyond the task of organising Hindus to “organising the entire society”. He also criticised some radical groups that masquerade as part of the Hindutva movement, and reiterated the importance of dialogue between communities. Former BJP MP, Rakesh Sinha, writes on RSS’s “new nationalism”.

The reclusive economist: Urjit Patel helmed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) during its most challenging time: the 2016 demonetisation. He positioned himself as a guardian of stability, refusing to toe the central government’s line. His relationship with the government worsened over multiple issues, including banking regulation and the RBI’s autonomy. Patel eventually resigned mid-term, sending shockwaves through the power corridors. He now returns as India’s Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Here’s why that’s significant. 

⏳ And Finally…

Cheteshwar Pujara, the eighth-highest run-getter for India in Tests, recently called time on his batting career. In the last 15 years, comprising his lead act in India’s maiden conquest of Australia, Pujara has left an indelible imprint on Indian cricket. He joined us for the latest Idea Exchange, where he talked about the art of defensive batting, his and his family’s sacrifices, and missing out on IPL contracts. Read.

🎧 Before you go, do tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode, where we discuss the ban on online gaming and the dangers of gaming addiction.

That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,
Sonal Gupta

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