China Welcomes PM Modi to SCO Summit

China has extended a warm welcome to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his participation in the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This event, scheduled to take place in Tianjin city on August 31 and September 1, marks a significant diplomatic engagement as Beijing aims to strengthen its ties with New Delhi amidst global trade tensions, particularly those involving US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Significance of the Tianjin Summit

The Tianjin summit is poised to be the largest gathering since the SCO’s inception in 2001. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that the summit will foster solidarity and friendship among member states. The SCO, which includes 10 member countries such as China, India, and Russia, was established to promote regional stability through cooperation. The summit will see participation from heads of all member states and leaders of 10 international organizations.

PM Modi’s First Visit Since Galwan Clash

This visit marks PM Modi’s first trip to China since the 2020 Galwan clash, which strained bilateral relations. His last visit was in 2019, and he met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024. The upcoming summit provides an opportunity for both nations to ease tensions and explore avenues for collaboration.

Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping. These meetings are crucial, especially in light of recent US tariffs on India for purchasing Russian crude oil. The tariffs have inadvertently brought India and China closer, with both nations expressing a desire for enhanced cooperation.

Backdrop of Regional Tensions

The summit occurs against a backdrop of regional tensions, including China’s support for Pakistan and the Pahalgam attack. During a previous SCO defence ministers’ meeting, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refrained from signing a joint statement due to its omission of the Pahalgam terror attack while mentioning Balochistan.