Modi’s Diplomatic Journey Begins
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a packed foreign tour this weekend. His first stop is Japan, followed by China, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The timing is crucial — with the United States hitting Indian exports with steep tariffs, New Delhi is clearly seeking to deepen ties across Asia.
First Trip to China in Seven Years
Modi’s arrival in China is more than symbolic. It marks his first visit since 2017, when relations soured after border clashes in Ladakh. Though the standoff remains unresolved, the visit signals a willingness to reopen dialogue and explore economic cooperation at a time when global trade tensions are reshaping alliances.
What Leaders Will Discuss
The tour carries two major engagements:
- Tokyo (Aug 29–30): Talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on defence, minerals, and investment. Tokyo is preparing a long-term commitment of 10 trillion yen for India.
- Tianjin (Aug 31–Sept 1): Attendance at the SCO summit alongside Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif. Modi is expected to push for smoother trade channels, easier investment rules, and resumption of direct flights.
Indian officials have also confirmed that Modi will press for the SCO’s joint statement to strongly condemn terrorism.
What Officials Are Saying
“The world is always changing, and India’s economic strength will help us navigate these times,” a senior foreign ministry official told reporters in New Delhi.
Analysts add that Modi’s willingness to sit across the table from Xi, despite lingering mistrust, reflects a pragmatic strategy aimed at balancing ties with both East and West.
Why This Visit Matters
The PM Modi China visit 2025 comes at a moment when India is under pressure from multiple sides. Closer ties with Tokyo and Beijing could provide economic relief from U.S. tariffs, while also giving India a louder voice in shaping regional security. For Modi, the optics of sharing the stage with Xi and Putin at the SCO are as important as the closed-door negotiations.
What to Watch For
- Possible Modi–Xi one-on-one meeting on troop disengagement.
- India’s push for anti-terror language in the Tianjin Declaration.
- Whether New Delhi signals interest in regional trade pacts like RCEP as an alternative to Western markets.
Closing Note
The SCO Summit 2025 is more than another diplomatic stop. For Modi, this China visit could define how India positions itself in a world where old alliances are shifting and new ones are taking shape.
