Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China after a six-year hiatus, a move that comes amid strained relations with the United States. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also visit China during the same period, adding a layer of intrigue to the diplomatic engagement. This was reported by Indian media outlet NDTV.
The report states that Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, 2025. This marks his first trip to China since the 2020 India-China border clash in the Himalayan region, with his last visit occurring in 2019. The visit is seen as significant, particularly as India seeks to recalibrate its ties with China following deteriorating relations with the US.
Since US President Donald Trump’s return to office, relations with major powers—China, Russia, and India—have grown increasingly tense. The convergence of these leaders at the SCO summit could pave the way for new geopolitical alignments. Despite China’s recent public support for Pakistan during the India-Pakistan tensions over the Pehelgam attack in Kashmir, India’s participation in the SCO summit is viewed as a constructive step by analysts.
The summit is expected to address critical issues such as regional security, counterterrorism, and trade among SCO member states. Efforts will likely focus on stabilizing India-China relations and fostering dialogue. There is also speculation about potential informal meetings between Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Putin on the sidelines of the summit.
It is worth noting that Modi and Xi last met at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, after which both nations intensified efforts to de-escalate border tensions.
