PM Modi to Visit China for SCO Summit, Marking First Trip Since Galwan Clash .
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. This marks his first trip to China since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020, signaling a potential thaw in the strained relations between the two Asian giants.
Modi’s last official visit to China was in 2019, although he did meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024. His upcoming participation in the SCO Summit comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics, including mounting pressure from the United States over India’s oil trade with Russia and the imposition of steep tariffs by former President Donald Trump. Analysts suggest that India’s renewed engagement with China could serve as a strategic counterbalance to US influence.
The summit also unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions over terrorism and regional security. India remains wary of China’s continued support for Pakistan, especially following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. In June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to endorse a joint SCO statement that omitted any reference to the Pahalgam incident, while subtly implicating India in unrest in Balochistan—a move believed to be influenced by Pakistan.
However, in a notable shift, China later issued a strong condemnation of the Pahalgam attack after the US designated The Resistance Front—a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—as a foreign terrorist organization. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22… We call on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability.”
At the summit, leaders from the 10 SCO member states—Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—are expected to deliberate on terrorism, trade, and regional stability. There is also speculation that PM Modi may hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines.
The SCO, founded in 2001, aims to foster regional cooperation and security. Modi’s presence at this year’s summit could further efforts to restore dialogue and stability in India-China relations, especially following the resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage and recent diplomatic engagements.
