• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, soon after wrapping up his two-day visit to Japan. The summit, scheduled for August 31–September 1, comes at a crucial juncture for India, particularly in the backdrop of fresh US tariffs on imports. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the Prime Minister’s departure through an official post on X. “A highly productive visit to Japan concludes. It has charted the way forward for deeper India-Japan cooperation. PM Narendra Modi emplanes for China to attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Summit Agenda: Bilateral Talks with Xi Jinping and Putin

Apart from the multilateral engagements, PM Modi is likely to hold two important bilateral meetings, one with Chinese President Xi Jinping and another with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions are expected to focus on trade, energy cooperation, regional security, and efforts to ease tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.This will be PM Modi’s first visit to China since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. In recent months, both sides have taken incremental steps to normalise ties, including the reopening of trade routes via the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The SCO currently has 10 members, India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, and Iran. Several countries also participate as dialogue partners and observers. India became a full member in 2017 after serving as an observer since 2005. Since joining, India has hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and chaired the SCO Council of Heads of State between 2022 and 2023. PM Modi has actively engaged in SCO summits, attending those in Qingdao (2018), Bishkek (2019), Tashkent (2022), and New Delhi (2023), with virtual participation during the pandemic years.

China-India Engagements In Focus

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi earlier this month, delivering a personal message and invitation from President Xi Jinping. During the talks, both sides agreed to restore direct flight services between India and the Chinese mainland and update the Air Services Agreement. They also committed to easing visa procedures for tourists, businesspersons, journalists, and students. The discussions further underscored the importance of multilateralism and a rules-based international trading system, with both countries emphasising their commitment to safeguarding the interests of developing nations in a multipolar global order.

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The SCO summit also comes against the backdrop of the United States imposing 50 per cent tariffs on imports, of which a 25 per cent levy directly impacts India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. New Delhi is expected to use the Tianjin platform to underline the need for balanced trade rules that do not undermine the energy security of developing economies.

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Before flying to Tianjin, PM Modi concluded a successful visit to Japan, where he attended the India-Japan Annual Summit and travelled with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the E10 Shinkansen bullet train to Sendai. Discussions in Tokyo focused on strengthening semiconductor cooperation, digital technology partnerships, and expanding defence and security ties. In a message on X, PM Modi said, “Productive outcomes during a productive visit. May India-Japan friendship scale newer heights in the times to come.”

(With inputs from agency)