Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit China at the end of August to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit—his first trip to the country since 2018.
According to diplomatic sources, preparations are underway for Modi’s participation in the summit, scheduled to be held in the city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. The event, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, will also be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from Central Asian member states.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, a bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping is reportedly being discussed. A possible meeting with President Putin is also expected on the sidelines of the summit.
Modi’s visit comes at a critical time as India navigates a complex geopolitical environment. India’s trade relations with the United States have seen strain in recent weeks, with former U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a 25% tariff on Indian exports with Russian links. In this context, India’s participation in the SCO reflects its continued commitment to strategic autonomy—balancing ties with the West, Russia, and China.
If confirmed, this would be Modi’s first formal bilateral engagement with Xi Jinping since the Ladakh border standoff. The last significant meeting between the two leaders was in 2019, although they briefly interacted in Kazan last year where they agreed that “differences should not become disputes.”
Ahead of the summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit New Delhi to prepare the groundwork for the Modi-Xi talks. Key issues likely to be discussed include border normalization, increased trade access for Indian goods, infrastructure projects in Central Asia, and regional security—particularly in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
India also views the SCO as a strategic platform to engage with Central Asia, counterbalance Western-led alliances, and expand its energy and connectivity initiatives like the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port development.
If the visit proceeds as planned, Modi may also finalize the schedule for hosting Vladimir Putin later this year in India for the annual India-Russia summit, reinforcing New Delhi’s multi-aligned foreign policy stance.
