Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will visit China later in August to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to the country since 2018. His trip comes amid renewed efforts by both nations to repair strained relations after years of rivalry and border clashes.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, during talks in New Delhi with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Doval confirmed that Modi will travel to Tianjin for the summit, which opens on August 31, adding that the visit reflects “new energy” in diplomatic ties between the two Asian giants.
“Our prime minister will be visiting for the SCO summit,” Doval said. “We believe this engagement will further strengthen dialogue and build new trust between our countries.”
On his part, Wang Yi described Modi’s visit as significant, stressing that Beijing attaches “great importance” to the Indian leader’s participation. According to him, history and reality prove that a “healthy and stable China-India relationship” serves the long-term interests of both countries.
The meeting between Doval and Wang was part of wider diplomatic engagements in New Delhi. Wang is also scheduled to meet Modi directly before the summit. The visit is seen as part of broader efforts to cool tensions and revive cooperation after years of strained relations.
India and China, the world’s two most populous nations, remain fierce rivals competing for influence across South Asia and beyond. Their relationship worsened after the 2020 deadly border clash in Ladakh, which claimed the lives of at least 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops. Since then, military standoffs and deep mistrust have clouded their engagements, despite multiple rounds of negotiations.
Beyond border disputes, India and China also compete in technology, trade, and regional security. India is a key member of the Quad, a strategic alliance with the United States, Australia, and Japan. The grouping is often described as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite these differences, economic realities have forced both sides to reconsider their positions. Bilateral trade remains a strong pillar of the relationship, with China continuing to be one of India’s largest trading partners. Global disruptions, including the trade tensions triggered during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war, as well as ongoing geopolitical instability, have also made it necessary for the two nations to seek more stable ties.
During talks on Monday with India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Wang Yi emphasized that both countries should view each other as “partners and opportunities, rather than adversaries or threats.” This sentiment reflects a growing recognition in both capitals that prolonged rivalry comes at a heavy economic and strategic cost.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which India joined in 2017, provides a regional platform for dialogue and security cooperation among member states. This year’s summit in Tianjin will gather leaders from countries such as Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Modi’s attendance underscores New Delhi’s continued commitment to multilateral diplomacy even as it juggles complex relations with major powers.
Observers note that while the visit will not erase years of mistrust, it could signal a cautious step toward resetting ties. For Modi, it also presents an opportunity to engage Beijing directly at a time when India seeks to boost its international profile and secure regional stability.
Analysts believe the outcomes of the summit and bilateral talks between Modi and Chinese leaders will be closely watched, not only in Asia but globally. A thaw in India-China relations could impact trade flows, security arrangements, and diplomatic alignments across the Indo-Pacific.
As Modi prepares for his first visit to China in seven years, the question remains whether both sides can turn “new energy” into tangible cooperation that addresses border issues, enhances trade balance, and builds trust in a relationship that has often swung between partnership and rivalry.
