Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Sunday to resolve their border disputes and enhance cooperation ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit hosted by the coastal city of Tianjin.

Xi met with Modi before the summit’s opening, marking an official thaw between the two nuclear powers.

This is Modi’s first visit to China since relations deteriorated following deadly clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border in 2020. Modi is visiting China as part of India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional political, economic, and security group founded by China.

In his opening speech, Modi said relations with China have moved in a “purposeful direction,” adding that “there is a peaceful environment on the border after disengagement.”

Xi expressed hope that the Tianjin meeting would “elevate” relations and “promote sustainable, healthy, and stable development of bilateral ties,” according to Chinese state television.

He added that both sides “should not let the border issue define the overall China-India relationship,” noting that economic development should be the primary focus for both countries.

Xi said, “As long as China and India adhere to the supreme goal of being partners rather than competitors, and provide opportunities for development rather than threats, China-India relations will flourish and steadily advance.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Tianjin on Sunday, is also scheduled to meet with the Chinese and Indian leaders in the coming days.

Before Modi’s visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to New Delhi earlier in August, where both sides announced rapprochement. The two governments pledged to relaunch border talks and resume visa issuance and direct flights.

Wang’s visit coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on India due to its purchase of Russian oil, but the process of rebuilding relations between New Delhi and China had been underway for months.

China and India have intensified official visits this year and discussed easing some trade and cross-border movement restrictions. In June, Beijing allowed Indian pilgrims to visit sacred sites in Tibet.