Modi’s Diplomatic Marathon Continues: PM Heads To China For SCO Summit After Landmark Japan Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2025, following a highly productive two-day visit to Japan. The SCO Summit, scheduled from August 31 to September 1, marks Modi’s first visit to China in over seven years and comes amid renewed efforts to stabilize India-China relations and deepen regional cooperation.

 

The summit is expected to bring together leaders from ten member states and several observer nations, with a focus on security, connectivity, and economic collaboration. Modi’s participation signals India’s continued commitment to shaping the SCO’s agenda and engaging constructively with neighboring powers.

 

Key Highlights From The Diplomatic Transition

- PM Modi concluded his Japan visit on August 30 and departed for China to attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin  

- This is Modi’s first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 and his first since 2018  

- A bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for August 31  

- India aims to advance discussions on trade, border stability, and regional security  

- The SCO Summit will host over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin  

 

Outcomes Of The Japan Visit

Before heading to China, Modi wrapped up a landmark visit to Japan, where he held summit talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and finalized 13 key agreements. These included:

 

1. A 10-year roadmap for economic partnership and strategic cooperation  

2. A framework for defense collaboration and supply chain resilience  

3. Joint initiatives in semiconductors, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals  

4. An implementing arrangement for the Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission  

5. Launch of the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative to connect Indian states with Japanese prefectures  

 

Modi also visited Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd in Sendai, toured a semiconductor plant, and traveled aboard the Shinkansen bullet train with PM Ishiba. He described the visit as a milestone in India-Japan relations, emphasizing shared values and mutual growth.

 

Focus Areas At The SCO Summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded in 2001, has evolved into a major regional bloc encompassing China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian nations. India’s key priorities at the summit include:

 

- Promoting sovereignty and territorial integrity among member states  

- Enhancing connectivity and trade across Eurasia  

- Strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation and cyber security frameworks  

- Advocating for inclusive development and poverty alleviation  

- Supporting dialogue on climate resilience and health innovation  

 

The summit also provides a platform for India to reaffirm its strategic autonomy amid shifting global alliances and trade tensions, particularly following recent tariff actions by the United States.

 

India-China Bilateral: A Test Of Diplomacy

Modi’s scheduled meeting with President Xi Jinping is being closely watched as a potential turning point in India-China relations. The two leaders last met at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024, where they agreed to resume dialogue on border management and economic cooperation.

 

Recent developments, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and visa issuance for Chinese nationals, suggest a thaw in bilateral ties. The Tianjin meeting is expected to address:

 

1. Border disengagement protocols along the Line of Actual Control  

2. Restoration of direct flights and cultural exchanges  

3. Trade normalization and investment facilitation  

4. Regional stability and multilateral coordination within the SCO  

 

Conclusion: A Strategic Pivot In Asia’s Diplomatic Landscape

Prime Minister Modi’s back-to-back visits to Japan and China underscore India’s proactive engagement in shaping Asia’s future. From semiconductor partnerships in Sendai to strategic dialogues in Tianjin, the diplomatic marathon reflects India’s ambition to lead with purpose, balance, and regional solidarity. As the SCO Summit unfolds, all eyes will be on Modi’s interactions and India’s evolving role in the Eurasian framework.

 

Sources: Free Press Journal, Firstpost, Republic World, Kashmir Reader, India TV News, The Hindu, CNBC TV18, News18