Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Tianjin on Sunday, marking Modi’s first visit to China in more than seven years.
The Indian Prime Minister arrived in the port city on Saturday evening after a two-day visit to Japan, receiving a cultural welcome at his hotel with performances of Indian classical music and dance. On social media, he posted, “Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders.”
Later in the evening, the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit began at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre with a formal reception, photo session, and concert. The summit will bring together over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside Xi and Modi.
The visit is significant as it comes against the backdrop of new U.S. tariffs, including a 25 per cent duty imposed on India for purchasing Russian crude oil. Modi is also expected to hold talks with President Putin during the summit.
This is the first time PM Modi has visited China since the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020. In recent months, both India and China have taken steps to ease tensions, including reopening trade routes through Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La passes, and resuming discussions on direct flight connectivity.
The SCO, founded in 2001, now includes 10 members—India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—along with several observers and dialogue partners. India, which became a full member in 2017, has previously chaired both the SCO Council of Heads of Government (2020) and the Council of Heads of State (2022–23).
