PM Modi visits China after 7 years, to meet Xi Jinping at SCO Summit amid shifting global and regional dynamics

New Delhi (India) August 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first trip to China in seven years on Saturday. He lands for a two-day trip to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference in Tianjin.

Modi posts, “Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders” on social media platform X.

PM Modi will attend the annual summit with leaders of the 10-member SCO alliance on August 31 and September 1. The recent change in India-China relations is also likely to make his Sunday bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping desirable.

Tense International Relationships

The visit takes place in the middle of a tense relationship with Washington. This is after the imposition of high tariffs on Indian exports by the Trump administration. They got worse by the country's purchase of Russian oil. New Delhi believes it is beneficial to maintain lines of communication with Beijing in order to expand its options. The relations with the US are still strategically significant.

PM Modi says, "Given the current volatility in the world economy, it is also important for India and China, as two major economies, to work together to bring stability to the world economic order.”

India-China ties under spotlight

According to PM Modi, peace and prosperity in the region and around the world can be enhanced by "stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations" between China and India.

The Sino-Indian relationship has been characterized by both cooperation and conflict. This may undergo a change with PM Modi's visit. Recent diplomatic exchanges indicate a careful attempt to reestablish confidence after the tragic fights in the Galwan Valley in 2020. 

Balancing Beijing and Washington

The larger effects of the SCO conference are also being monitored. The 10-member bloc was established to fight terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It has developed into a platform that offers an alternative to institutions run by the West. By taking part, India is demonstrating its intention to stay relevant on a number of platforms without relying too much on any one partnership.

For China, strengthening ties with India may weaken restrictions led by the US. India is showing its commitment to multi-alignment in a world that is becoming more and more divided by striking a balance between its alliances with Beijing and the West.

Key bilateral meetings expected

It is anticipated that the prime minister will also be involved in bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders during the SCO conference. The Kremlin has stated that Putin would meet with PM Modi to discuss the preparations for his December visit to India.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also gave Prime Minister Modi a call on Saturday. This is to discuss his thoughts on the latest events regarding Ukraine.

PM Modi writes, "Thank President Zelenskyy for his phone call today. We exchanged views on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspect, and efforts to restore peace and stability. India extends full support to all efforts in this direction" on X after the call.