PM Modi in China for SCO Summit, First Visit in 7 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, on Saturday for his first visit in more than seven years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The visit follows Modi’s trip to Japan, where he advanced cooperation in transport, space exploration, and trade. He will remain in China until 1 September.

A key highlight of the trip will be Modi’s meeting with Xi Jinping, during which the two leaders are expected to review India–China economic ties and explore ways to further normalise relations.

The annual SCO summit carries added weight this year amid rising tensions over US tariffs on Indian goods, which were recently raised to 50 per cent. Modi’s visit also comes in the context of India–China ties improving after the 2020 border clashes.

New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil during the Ukraine war has drawn criticism from Washington, with additional tariffs imposed on Indian exports.

Modi will participate in the SCO meetings on 31 August and 1 September, including a welcome banquet and the leaders’ summit. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.

At the summit, the Indian leader is expected to reiterate India’s stance against cross-border terrorism, particularly in the wake of recent tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.

On the sidelines, Modi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other bilateral engagements being finalised.