SCO Summit: After Galwan and Tariff Tensions, PM Modi-President Xi Meeting Draws Global Attention

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have officially begun their highly anticipated bilateral meeting in Tianjin, China. This marks PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The meeting is being seen as a critical step toward de-escalating long-standing border tensions between the two nations, particularly after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. With the backdrop of global trade instability, especially triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies, this India-China engagement is being closely monitored worldwide. India’s strategic messaging focuses on a multipolar world, pushing back against any global power monopolies. According to government sources, while the focus remains on the SCO Summit, the Modi-Xi bilateral meeting is also expected to touch on economic cooperation, trust-building, and terrorism. Notably, the dialogue is taking place just a day before PM Modi’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as geopolitical dynamics continue to shift. India is also emphasizing its strong economic position and investment potential, citing political stability, predictable markets, and a $700 billion forex reserve. This meeting may act as a diplomatic icebreaker and reset the tone for future India-China relations.