Modi attends SCO summit in China amid souring US-India relations

In late August 2025, China hosted a significant regional security summit in Tianjin, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first official visit to the country in seven years. The summit was attended by over 20 heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighting its prominence in international relations. The backdrop for this high-profile meeting involved the growing tensions between India and the United States, specifically following the imposition of high tariffs by President Donald Trump on Indian exports due to its continued purchase of Russian oil, which has strained US-India ties. Relations between India and China had deteriorated since a deadly border conflict in 2020, during which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers lost their lives. The recent summit served as a platform for an expected thaw in relations, as Modi and Xi Jinping discussed the importance of cooperation for the benefits of their nations and reiterated their commitment to friendship despite past grievances. Local analysts noted that Modi's presence underscores a significant shift, especially as both countries navigate pressures from the West and seek to foster a multipolar world free from the dominance of the United States. As a reaction to the rising tensions with Washington, India and China have begun to revive their diplomatic channels, which included re-establishing direct flights and reopening pilgrimage sites. This reflects a strategic move by both countries to solidify their partnership in the context of geopolitical challenges posed by their engagement with the West. The summit was touted by Chinese officials as the largest of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization yet, aiming to reinforce China and Russia's positions as central figures in Eurasian diplomacy. Analysts are observing this moment closely, as it could indicate further economic collaboration between the countries involved in the SCO and a challenge to US influence in the region. The meeting between Modi and Xi was characterized as part of a broader strategy to counter rising US assertiveness and create conditions for regional stability. However, long-standing issues and historical distrust between India and China must still be addressed to ensure enduring collaboration for both nations.