Modi to Attend SCO Summit in China After Five-Year Gap

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1. He will attend the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This trip will mark his first official visit to China in over five years.

He last visited China in 2019. Since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, diplomatic relations between the two countries have remained tense.

Tight Travel Schedule Ahead of the Summit

Modi will arrive in China after completing his visit to Japan. He will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on August 30 for the annual India–Japan Summit. After that, he will fly directly to Tianjin for the SCO event.

Senior officials have confirmed that the SCO agenda includes regional security, terrorism, economic cooperation, and energy trade.

Bilateral Talks Expected on Sidelines

Government sources say Modi may hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He may also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Indian delegation expects to raise concerns about terrorism, energy pricing, and global trade pressures.

India continues to oppose certain narratives pushed by China and Pakistan in regional platforms. The government has recently rejected SCO documents that did not mention terror attacks against India.

India–China Diplomatic Contact Resumes

India has recently restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals. The two countries are also discussing a possible resumption of direct commercial flights. These steps suggest a cautious improvement in ties before the summit.

Officials say the visa and flight developments are not directly linked to the summit. However, they acknowledge the importance of diplomatic continuity.

SCO to Focus on Regional Stability

The Tianjin Summit will gather leaders from member countries including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. The group will discuss security concerns, drug trafficking, digital infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation.

India has called for clear and collective action on terrorism in previous SCO meetings. Officials expect New Delhi to repeat that demand this year as well.

A Critical Visit Amid Global Shifts

This visit comes as India faces global scrutiny over its oil purchases from Russia. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized BRICS nations for maintaining trade with Moscow. India will likely highlight its strategic autonomy at the SCO table.

At the same time, India continues to balance ties with the U.S., Russia, and China. The SCO visit adds another layer to its active diplomatic engagements in 2025.