Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to China in more than seven years. A potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected, making this the most important engagement between the two leaders since the deadly Galwan Valley clash of June 2020.

The Galwan Valley clash, the most severe border confrontation in over four decades, caused deep strain in India China relations. Since then, the two nations have conducted more than 21 rounds of Corps Commander Level talks. Partial disengagement has occurred in areas like Pangong Lake, Galwan, and Gogra-Hot Springs, but disputes remain unresolved in Depsang Plains and Demchok.

Modi’s visit follows his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi, where both sides agreed that steady progress had been made. Modi noted that stable, constructive ties built on mutual respect are vital for regional and global peace and prosperity.

This visit also comes at a time when India faces growing trade tensions with the US. The US administration under President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. This external pressure further highlights the importance of India’s outreach to China at the SCO Tianjin summit.

Since 2020, Modi and Xi have not held a full bilateral summit, though they have met briefly at international events. At the 2022 G20 Bali summit, they exchanged a handshake, and in October 2024 at the BRICS summit in Kazan, they held their first formal talks in five years. These interactions began a process of cautious dialogue, and the SCO meeting could extend this momentum.

Beyond security concerns, India and China are reviving economic and cultural ties. Agreements include resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, reopening tourist visas for Chinese nationals, discussions on direct flights, and lifting restrictions on key exports like fertilizers and rare earth minerals. These steps indicate a mutual willingness to improve India China trade relations alongside diplomatic engagement.

The trajectory of India China ties has evolved from post-colonial brotherhood to strategic rivalry, especially after 2020. Still, trade remains strong, with bilateral commerce touching $118 billion in 2024. Despite tensions at the border, both nations see the value in maintaining dialogue and ensuring regional stability.

Amid the backdrop of US-China rivalry and strained India-US trade relations, Modi’s presence at the SCO summit carries wider significance. For New Delhi, the summit is not only about engaging Beijing but also about positioning India as a regional power capable of balancing competing interests in a changing global order.

The Tianjin summit may therefore serve as a turning point, with Modi-Xi talks signaling whether India-China relations can cautiously move beyond the shadow of Galwan towards a framework of managed rivalry and selective cooperation.

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