Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China on Saturday to participate in the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), marking a crucial moment in regional diplomacy and global cooperation.
The two-day summit, set to begin on Sunday, will bring together over 20 heads of States and 10 international organisation leaders, with discussions centered on security, connectivity, sustainable development, and the future direction of the SCO.
This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit is being hosted by China for the fifth time, with President Xi chairing the high-level proceedings. PM Modi was warmly received at Tianjin International Airport by China’s Minister for Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng, Tianjin Government Director Yu Yunlin, and Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong.
The summit holds special significance this year as the organisation marks its 25th anniversary.
Leaders will reflect on the SCO’s achievements over the past quarter-century and are expected to adopt a ten-year roadmap to guide its future development. The strategy will cover areas such as security cooperation, economic integration, climate action, technological innovation, and cultural exchange.
Prime Minister Modi, along with other prominent leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, is expected to take part in extensive deliberations over the two days. Discussions will also touch upon pressing global challenges, including the ongoing geopolitical shifts, trade disruptions, and the need for resilient multilateral cooperation.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping and another with Russian President Vladimir Putin. These meetings are seen as opportunities to reinforce diplomatic channels amid growing global uncertainties.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of mounting economic tensions, particularly considering recent U.S. tariff hikes under President Donald Trump’s administration. Washington’s imposition of steep 50 percent tariffs on several Indian exports has sparked unease in New Delhi and highlighted the need for India to strengthen alternative economic and strategic alliances, especially within multilateral forums like the SCO.
In this context, India’s participation in the SCO Summit signals its continued commitment to regional cooperation, stability, and multipolar engagement. The Prime Minister’s presence underscores India’s growing role in shaping the agenda of major international platforms and working with neighbouring countries on shared goals.
“The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as a critical platform for dialogue and partnership in Eurasia,” said an Indian official ahead of the summit. “India believes in cooperative approaches to global challenges, and this summit provides the right forum to strengthen those values.”
As the summit gets underway tomorrow, expectations remain high for progress on issues that affect not just the SCO member states but also the broader global order. The outcomes of this summit could help chart a path toward greater regional cohesion and strategic collaboration in an increasingly divided world.