PM Modi arrives in China for first visit in 7 years ahead of SCO meet, Xi talks on cards

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, on Saturday for a two-day visit, marking his first trip to the country in over seven years. The visit follows his recent trip to Japan, where he focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in transport, space exploration, and trade. Modi will remain in China until September 1 to attend key multilateral and bilateral engagements.

During the visit, PM Modi will participate in the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled from August 31 to September 1, joining leaders from the 10-member bloc. The summit agenda includes discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships. India’s participation is being closely watched in the context of rising global trade tensions and recent international economic developments.

A bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is also planned, during which both leaders are expected to review India-China economic ties and discuss steps to further normalise relations. PM Modi is also expected to interact with other SCO leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of the summit proceedings. The visit comes shortly after the United States imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, adding significance to India’s engagement with SCO countries.