Key Facts
• Indian media reports Modi will attend SCO summit in Tianjin on August 31.
• This marks Modi’s first visit to China since 2018, a 7-year gap.
• India-China relations strained since June 2020 border clash in the Himalayas.
• 2020 clash resulted in fatalities on both sides, worsening bilateral ties.
• Modi and Xi Jinping met in October 2024 at BRICS summit in Russia.
• Meeting in 2024 showed signs of easing tensions between the two nations.
• India opposes U.S. high tariffs over its large-scale purchase of Russian oil.
• NDTV suggests India-China relations could balance U.S.-India dynamics.
Summary
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the first time in seven years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31. This visit comes amid ongoing tensions over border disputes in the Himalayas, which escalated after a deadly clash in June 2020. However, a meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in 2024 hinted at improving relations. Meanwhile, India’s opposition to U.S. tariffs on its Russian oil imports has added complexity to its foreign relations. Local media speculate that recalibrating ties with China could help India balance its relationship with the U.S.
