Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the first time in seven years, marking a major diplomatic development after a prolonged chill in relations between New Delhi and Beijing.
Modi will travel to Tianjin from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other regional leaders.
His last official visit to China took place in June 2018. Since then, ties between the two Asian giants have been strained, particularly following the deadly clashes in Galwan Valley in 2020 and continuing tensions along the disputed border.
The timing of the visit carries strong geopolitical undertones. India has been grappling with economic fallout from U.S. tariff measures, while China is seeking to project strength and stability amid its own international headwinds.
By joining the SCO gathering in person, Modi signals both India’s intent to remain engaged with regional frameworks and a possible willingness to test the waters for limited rapprochement with Beijing.
The summit will also draw Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting a complex moment for global power alignments. For China, hosting both Modi and Putin offers a high-profile display of solidarity.
For India, the visit underscores its delicate balancing act maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating a turbulent international order.
Observers note that while the optics of Modi’s trip are powerful, the substantive outcome will depend on whether the two leaders can make progress on restoring trust after years of mistrust and confrontation.
Whether this visit marks the beginning of a genuine thaw, or merely a tactical pause in icy relations, remains to be seen.
