Tianjin, China – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday, marking their first encounter in nearly ten months. The bilateral talks, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, aim to bolster India-China relations amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. The two-day SCO summit, commencing Sunday, brings together leaders from the 10-member bloc, including Russia, Iran, and Central Asian nations.
The Modi-Xi meeting gains prominence due to a recent downturn in India-U.S. relations, driven by Washington’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian exports. Official sources suggest the leaders may hold a second meeting later Sunday, given the breadth of issues on the table. Their last interaction occurred in October 2024 at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where efforts to mend ties gained traction following the 2020 Galwan clash and prolonged border tensions in Eastern Ladakh.
Before departing for India on Monday, Modi is also expected to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, further highlighting the summit’s diplomatic weight. The SCO event, hosted by President Xi, kicks off with an official banquet and includes 20 foreign leaders, underscoring China’s role as this year’s rotating chair. Xi is anticipated to outline China’s vision for the SCO, emphasizing the “Shanghai Spirit” of cooperation in his keynote address.
The summit’s timing aligns with global trade frictions, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on India, including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil. These developments have nudged New Delhi closer to Beijing and Moscow, with analysts noting the potential for enhanced India-China collaboration. The SCO, comprising nations like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, remains a platform for addressing regional security and economic challenges.
Modi’s visit, his first to China in seven years, signals a cautious but deliberate step toward stabilizing bilateral ties, with implications for regional and global dynamics.
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