Beijing, Aug 8: China has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, scheduled for August 31 to September 1. This would mark Modi’s first visit to China in over seven years. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed hope that the summit would be a “gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results” and signal a new phase of high-quality development for the SCO.
The summit is expected to be the largest in the organisation’s history, with participation from leaders of over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. India has not officially confirmed Modi’s two-nation trip to Japan and China, but sources suggest he will travel to China after visiting Japan around August 29.
Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Rawat also met with Liu Jinsong, Director-General at China’s Foreign Ministry, for an in-depth exchange on bilateral relations. Relations between India and China had significantly deteriorated following the 2020 border standoff in eastern Ladakh. However, tensions have eased since the completion of disengagement at key friction points and a meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024.
Recent confidence-building steps include reviving the Special Representative dialogue, resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, reinstating tourist visas for Chinese nationals, and discussions on restarting direct flights. High-level Indian officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval, have visited China in recent months for SCO-related engagements.
China currently chairs the SCO, which includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and six Central Asian and West Asian countries. Founded in 2001, the SCO is now among the world’s largest transregional organisations. It remains unclear whether Modi and Xi will hold a bilateral meeting during the summit. (PTI)
