Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant visit to China, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from 31st August to 1st September 2025. This trip marks a pivotal moment in India-China relations, as it will be PM Modi’s first visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which severely strained bilateral ties.
The visit comes amidst ongoing efforts by both nations to normalise relations, which have remained tense following the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. While there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi regarding a bilateral meeting, anticipation is high for a potential one-on-one interaction between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. The two leaders last met briefly during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
Sources indicate that the groundwork for this high-level engagement has been laid through recent diplomatic exchanges. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently visited China in July, his first trip in five years, for an SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting. During his visit, Mr. Jaishankar reportedly apprised President Xi of the recent developments in bilateral ties and reiterated India’s consistent stance on de-escalating the situation along the LAC.
The SCO summit, hosted by China this year, will bring together leaders from member states, including Russia and Pakistan, to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and counter-terrorism efforts. PM Modi’s presence underscores India’s commitment to multilateral forums, even as it navigates complex bilateral challenges with Beijing.
The Galwan Valley incident, which resulted in casualties on both sides, led to a significant downturn in India-China relations, prompting India to take a firm stance on border issues and introduce restrictions on Chinese investments and apps. While some measures, such as the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, have signalled a cautious thaw, the core border disputes remain unresolved. This upcoming visit will be closely watched for any indications of further de-escalation or a renewed push towards normalising the multifaceted relationship between the two Asian giants.
