Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit from August 31 to September 1. This will be Modi’s first trip to China in seven years. Chinese officials warmly welcomed his visit, saying it would strengthen friendship among SCO member countries. The summit will be the largest gathering in the SCO’s history, hosting leaders from over 20 countries.
The visit comes amid rising tensions between India and the United States. Recently, Indian officials confirmed Modi’s plan to attend the summit in Tianjin. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed hope the meeting would bring solidarity, coordination, and fruitful results. Leaders from SCO member states and international organizations will take part in related events.
Relations between China and India cooled after a 2020 border clash. The conflict hurt political trust and economic cooperation. However, leaders met in Kazan last year, setting a tone for fresh engagement. Since then, Indian ministers and security officials have visited China to restore ties and restart dialogue.
Both countries have agreed that they are development partners, not competitors. They aim to avoid letting border disputes damage overall relations. Recently, India resumed pilgrimages to Chinese sacred sites, and China restarted tourist visa issuance for Indians. These moves have improved people-to-people connections.
If Modi attends the SCO summit, it will strengthen the positive momentum between the two countries. Both sides hope to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties with progress. The summit offers a chance to deepen cooperation and manage differences peacefully.