Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, on a two-day visit to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Saturday. This marks his first visit to China in seven years. Leaders from 10 member countries will attend this annual summit held on August 31 and September 1.
PM Modi's bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday is viewed as notably important amidst recent positive developments in India-China relations. Additionally, on September 1, PM Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit comes at a time when tensions have arisen between India and the US regarding President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
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The Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports, with an additional 25% tariff due to India's purchase of Russian oil. The strategic ties with the US remain crucial for India, yet New Delhi seeks to diversify its options by maintaining communication with Beijing. PM Modi's visit signals a potential new beginning in India-China ties.
The relations between the two countries hit a low after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, but recent diplomatic efforts suggest cautious attempts at rebuilding trust. Despite previous tensions, China remains India's second-largest trade partner, and India's aspirations to become a manufacturing power are reliant on Chinese raw materials. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit has global significance as well.
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This 10-member organization, established to address terrorism, separatism, and extremism, is emerging as an alternative to Western-led entities. India's participation in this summit indicates its intent to maintain relevance across multiple platforms without over-relying on a single alliance. Expectations, however, are tempered.
India has long harbored skepticism regarding China's close military ties with Pakistan and its growing presence in the Indian Ocean. For China, better relations with India may weaken US-led encirclement efforts, while for India, maintaining a balance of partnerships with both the West and Beijing reflects its non-alignment policy in an increasingly polarized world.
