Qingdao, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the entry of India and Pakistan into a Chinese-led bloc at a closely orchestrated gathering Sunday that stood in stark contrast to the Donald Trump-dominated G7 summit that ended in disarray.

Xi welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, calling their presence "of great historic significance" in opening remarks at this weekend's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao. The two South Asian nations joined the bloc as full members last year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province. Credit:AP

"More member states means greater strength of the organisation as well as greater attention and expectations of people of regional countries and the international community," Xi said Sunday.

"We also share greater responsibilities in maintaining regional security and stability and promoting development and prosperity," he said.