New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in China on Saturday for a two-day go to, marking his first journey to the nation in seven years. Modi’s go to is about towards the backdrop of serious diplomatic shifts, as he prepares to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31 and September 1.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Tianjin, China. He’ll attend the SCO Summit right here.
(Video: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/dWnRHGlt95
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2025
SCO Summit Participation & Bilateral Talks With Xi Jinping
The SCO summit will see PM Modi be a part of leaders from the 10-member bloc, the place the main target will likely be on regional safety and cooperation. His assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping is predicted to draw important consideration, given the current thaw in India-China relations. This go to might present a chance to reset Sino-Indian ties, which have fluctuated between cooperation and confrontation in recent times.
A Strategic Go to Amid Tensions With US
The timing of Modi’s journey to China is notable, coming at a time of rising tensions between India and america. Following the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian exports by the Trump administration, there was rising friction between New Delhi and Washington. Nevertheless, whereas relations with the US stay strategically vital, India is looking for to take care of open channels with Beijing to diversify its diplomatic and financial choices.
Additionally Learn: Can India Rely On China For Commerce As US Tariff Poses Dangers To Producers? Defined
Highway To Normalising Sino-Indian Relations
PM Modi’s go to comes after a interval of strained ties following the lethal 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Relations between the 2 nations plunged to a low level after the violent face-off, however current diplomatic exchanges sign a cautious try to rebuild belief. This go to might sign a possible reset in Sino-Indian relations, which have been marked by each cooperation and rivalry.
Regardless of ongoing political frictions, China stays India’s second-largest buying and selling associate, and New Delhi’s manufacturing ambitions are carefully tied to Chinese language parts and uncooked supplies. As such, the necessity for engagement with Beijing stays essential.
SCO Summit’s Implications For India’s International Coverage
The SCO summit is being watched carefully for its broader geopolitical implications. Initially established to fight terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the SCO has grown right into a platform that presents a substitute for Western-led establishments. India’s participation underscores its intent to stay related throughout a number of worldwide boards, with out aligning too closely with any single bloc or alliance.
Nevertheless, expectations are tempered. Lengthy-standing suspicions persist between the 2 nations, from China’s deep army ties with Pakistan to its increasing presence within the Indian Ocean area. These considerations stay on the forefront of India’s cautious method to engagement with Beijing.
China’s Curiosity In Improved Relations With India
For China, enhancing relations with India might be strategically advantageous in diluting US-led containment efforts within the area. Alternatively, for India, balancing its partnerships with each the West and China is a key side of its overseas coverage. By taking part within the SCO summit and interesting diplomatically with Beijing, India continues to reveal its dedication to a multi-aligned method in a world that’s changing into more and more polarised.
A Delicate Diplomatic Balancing Act
PM Modi’s go to to China and his participation within the SCO summit spotlight the advanced nature of Sino-Indian relations. Whereas the 2 nations proceed to grapple with variations, this go to represents a essential alternative to discover cooperation, steadiness geopolitical pursuits, and proceed to interact in multilateral diplomacy on the worldwide stage.