Beijing — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. On the sidelines of the meeting in Tianjin, Modi is expected to hold a highly anticipated bilateral with Chinese President Xi Jinping and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring India’s balancing act in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
First Visit to China Since 2018
Modi’s trip is his first to China since 2018, coming after years of strained relations following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. While full normalization remains distant, the summit provides a rare opportunity for the Indian and Chinese leadership to engage in face-to-face dialogue on reducing tensions along the disputed border. Any movement toward de-escalation will be closely watched, given the enduring mistrust between the two Asian giants.
The SCO: A Platform for the “Global South”
The SCO summit, hosted in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, is being portrayed by Beijing as a showcase of Global South solidarity and a counterweight to Western-led institutions. With leaders from more than 20 countries in attendance, the gathering reflects the bloc’s growing ambition to project influence beyond Eurasia.
For India, participation is both strategic and pragmatic: it underscores New Delhi’s commitment to regional multilateralism while avoiding isolation within forums increasingly dominated by China and Russia.
Spotlight on the Russia-India-China Troika
One of the most closely watched developments will be the informal revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) troika. Once envisioned as a strategic counterbalance to U.S. dominance, the idea has regained momentum, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov actively pushing for its revival.
The trilateral meeting in Tianjin could test the viability of closer coordination among the three powers — though divergent interests, particularly between India and China, remain a significant obstacle.
India’s Multi-Alignment Strategy
The timing of Modi’s visit highlights New Delhi’s multi-alignment approach to foreign policy:
- U.S.-India Relations: Ties with Washington have cooled in recent years, exacerbated by trade disputes and tariffs. By engaging Beijing and Moscow, India signals its intent to preserve strategic autonomy rather than tilt fully toward any one camp.
- Trade with China: Despite political friction, China is still India’s second-largest trading partner. Discussions are expected to focus on narrowing India’s trade deficit and securing greater market access for Indian goods.
- Border Dispute: The unresolved standoff in Ladakh remains a central issue. While a breakthrough is unlikely, both sides may explore confidence-building measures to prevent escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A Test of Pragmatism
For Modi, the China visit is less about symbolic gestures and more about managing contradictions. India must simultaneously assert its sovereignty at the border, protect economic interests, and maintain flexibility in a world increasingly divided between U.S.-led and China-Russia-led blocs.
Whether this visit produces tangible progress or simply manages tensions, it signals that New Delhi sees engagement — not estrangement — as the most viable path in navigating the great power rivalries of the 21st century.
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