Modi and Xi
China's President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a session meeting during the 10th BRICS summit on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • India's Prime Minister caused a shock after his reelection by publicly thanking Taiwan's leader.
  • Many countries avoid publicly engaging with the island nation so as to not anger China.
  • Tensions between India and China, Asia's two major powers, are increasing.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi riled China in one of his first acts after being reelected for a historic third term.

Modi, who was reelected in a much narrower-than-expected victory on Tuesday, accepted the congratulations of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te.