New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held on 31 August in Tianjin, China. This will be his first visit to China in seven years. The journey is being considered as another step towards normalizing India-China relations, especially after military tension between the two countries in Ladakh in 2020. According to sources, Modi will also go to Japan with this visit, where he will attend the annual bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Modi last visited China in 2018, when he attended an informal meeting with President Xi Jinping in Wuhan and the SCO summit in Kingdao. In 2020, the relationship between the two countries had deteriorated after violent clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. Recently, on 21 October 2024, it was agreed to end military tension between the two countries, after which Modi and Xi met in Kazan, Russia. During this time, the two leaders agreed to revive many mechanisms to normalize relationships and negotiate border disputes.
Possibility of bilateral meeting
PM Modi’s visit is likely to meet her bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping. In this meeting, issues such as reducing tension on the border, restoration of direct flights, starting border trade and increasing contact between people may be discussed. In recent months, there have been several meetings between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries. Apart from this, some confidence enhancing steps such as Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and tourist visas for Chinese citizens have also been taken.
Concern over some activities of China
However, India still worries about some of China’s activities, such as the beginning of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra river and the support of China during India-Pakistan tension. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar raised these issues in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in July. He had said that both countries need to reduce tension on the border to improve relations and to remove the obstacles in business.
What will change for India, what will increase the pressure on Trump?
His visit will be with a visit to Japan for the annual summit. If this journey takes place, it will be PM Modi’s first visit to China after 2018 and after Eastern Ladakh border deadlock. However, Prime Minister Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024. His first well -planned meeting since October 2019 was also a few days after India and China reached the agreement to patrol their disputed border. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is the Eurasian security and political group of 10 countries. China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus are its members.
Modi met in Kazan in October 2024- Jinping
During the October 2024 meeting, PM Modi told the Chinese President that maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain his priority. In the meeting, he said, “This is our first formal meeting after five years. We welcome the agreements on the border. It should be our priority to maintain peace and harmony on the border. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relationship. I believe that we will interact with openly and our discussions will be creative.” Meanwhile, Xi Jinping said that it is important for India and China to handle more dialogues and cooperation. He said that it is also important for the two countries to fulfill their international responsibility and set an example to promote the strength and unity of developing countries.
Consent for dialogue in June
In early June this year, India and China agreed to hold talks to solve specific issues of concern in the fields of trade and economics. Because they were working to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations after the end of military deadlock in the Ladakh region of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This decision was taken after a meeting held in New Delhi between Foreign Secretary Vikram Egypt and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Waidong. Both sides agreed to expedite efforts to resume direct air services, which have been suspended since 2020.
How to live India-China relations this year
In June, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the joint release of the meeting of SCO Defense Ministers. Because it did not mention concerns related to terrorism. According to HT’s report, Rajnath Singh attended the meeting in Kingdao, China, but he did not sign the joint statement. Because it did not mention the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April. But the Jafar Express kidnapping in Pakistan was mentioned by the Balochistan Liberation Army. China strongly supported Pakistan during the four -day struggle with India under Operation Sindoor.
China condemned the Pahalgam attack after a long time
However, when the US declared the Representative Organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba, The Resistance Front (TRF), who took responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, China condemned the April 22 attack. China emphasized the need for strong regional cooperation to deal with terrorism and maintain stability. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lynn Gian said, “China strongly opposed all types of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack on April 22. China calls for regional countries to increase anti-terrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability.”
However, it is important to note that this journey is mainly to attend the SCO summit. No bilateral meeting of PM Modi has been officially confirmed by India or China. But there is a strong possibility in diplomatic circles. This journey can be a positive step towards bringing stability to India-China relations and restoring confidence.
Restoration of dialogue on border dispute: There has been tension in the relations between the two countries since the Galwan struggle. Although the leaders of the two countries had a previous meeting at the BRICS summit, the yatra will give the top leadership of the two countries a chance to negotiate directly. It is expected that there may be a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Due to which the process of reducing tension on the border and re -establishing dialogue can be accelerated.
Discussion on business relations: Business imbalance between India and China has been a major issue. Economic support and business issues are likely to be discussed during this visit. Foreign Minister S. In Jaishankar’s recent Beijing Yatra, business issues such as rare economy and restrictions on fertilizers were raised. This journey can prove to be important towards resolving these issues.
India’s role on the global stage: PM Modi’s presence at the SCO summit indicates India’s continuous commitment to multilateral diplomacy in Eurasia. This journey will give India an opportunity to express its opinion on issues like regional security, terrorism and trade cooperation.
Yes, this journey will increase the pressure on Trump
PM Modi’s visit to China, especially on the platform like Shanghai Cooperation Organization, gives a clear message to America that India is not limited to any one camp in its foreign policy. India will not compromise on its national interests under the pressure of America. The journey shows India’s strategic autonomy, leading to a strong stand against Trump’s ‘America First’ policy and business threats. PM Modi’s visit to China can directly increase the pressure on Trump. The journey shows India’s independent foreign policy, promoting multilateral cooperation and not bending in front of American pressure. This situation can create a challenge for the US in achieving its geopolitical and economic goals.
