August 31, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, on Saturday evening, marking his first visit here in over seven years. This trip is buzzing with excitement, especially as global trade tensions rise, and India-US relations hit a rocky patch due to trade and tariff issues. Modi is here to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on August 31 and September 1. But the highlight will be his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday. Both leaders are expected to review India-China economic relations and find ways to smooth over tensions caused by the Ladakh border clashes. Shortly after reaching Tianjin from Japan, Modi shared on social media, "Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders." At his hotel, he was greeted warmly by artists performing Indian classical music and dance, adding a cultural spark to his arrival. Besides President Xi, Modi is also set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other big leaders during the SCO event. This summit is a perfect stage for India to strengthen its ties and share its views on global stability. Before leaving for China, Modi told Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun: "Given the current volatility in the world economy, it is also important for India and China, as two major economies, to work together to bring stability to the world economic order." He believes friendly India-China relations are key to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. This visit comes just two weeks after a landmark meeting in India with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both countries agreed on important steps for a stable and cooperative future, including peace efforts along the border, reopening trade, and resuming flights. The India-China border tension began with deadly clashes at Galwan Valley in June 2020 but recent months have seen progress. The disengagement from tough border points like Demchok and Depsang was finalized last October, helping to ease the conflict. PM Modi last visited China in June 2018 for the SCO summit, while President Xi came to India in October 2019 for an informal summit. The upcoming discussions will test if both sides can continue building on this slow but steady reset of relations. As Modi steps into Tianjin, eyes around the world watch closely. Can these talks turn sour tension into sweet cooperation? Only time will tell, but for now, hope is in the air as two big neighbors try to find common ground amid a shaky global stage.

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Tags: Narendra modi, Xi jinping, China visit, Sco summit, India-china relations, Ladakh border,