Modi to Visit China: Xi’s SCO Summit Invite Sets Stage for Diplomatic Reset
content-team
August 19, 2025
An Invitation With Symbolism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed he will travel to Tianjin, China, at the end of the month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The acceptance of President Xi Jinping’s invitation is seen as a carefully timed move that could reshape the trajectory of India–China relations.
First Visit in Years
This will be Modi’s first trip to China since 2019. The years that followed were defined by escalating border tensions, culminating in the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. His presence at the SCO signals a willingness to place dialogue back at the forefront of bilateral engagement, even while disputes remain unresolved.
The SCO Summit’s Strategic Weight
The Tianjin summit, running from August 31 to September 1, will gather leaders from across Eurasia to deliberate on security, energy cooperation, counterterrorism, and regional development. Modi’s attendance will bring renewed focus to India’s priorities within the bloc, especially in areas such as stability in Afghanistan, trade routes, and energy security.
Steps Toward Normalization
Both India and China have been slowly reopening channels of engagement. Direct flights are set to resume, border trade is being revived, and diplomatic and military talks have restarted. These measures, though modest, lay the groundwork for Modi’s visit and signal that both sides see value in dialogue despite their differences.
Challenges Ahead
Even as Modi prepares for his China visit, India remains cautious. Border tensions, trade imbalances, and strategic mistrust remain central obstacles. For Beijing, hosting Modi offers a chance to showcase its ability to mend fences, while for New Delhi the challenge lies in balancing engagement with vigilance.
Regional and Global Significance
The timing of the visit has drawn attention beyond the SCO. Modi is expected to stop in Japan before arriving in China, highlighting India’s efforts to maintain diversified partnerships across Asia. His presence in Tianjin will be closely watched by regional players, Russia included, as well as Western capitals eager to see how India positions itself amid shifting global power dynamics.
The Road to Tianjin
As the summit nears, anticipation grows over whether Modi’s participation will deliver a genuine breakthrough or simply mark a symbolic return to the diplomatic table. Either way, the meeting between Modi and Xi will be a defining moment—both for bilateral relations and for the SCO’s role in shaping Asia’s future.
