Modi Visits China for First Time in Seven Years
After 7 years, PM Modi’s visit to China at the SCO Summit highlights talks on peace, trade, and border issues, but questions remain on real progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China after 7 years, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September 2025. The visit comes after reports of a secret letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu earlier this year, which opened doors for fresh dialogue.
PM Modi was welcomed warmly by the Indian community in Tianjin with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and cultural celebrations. In talks with Xi Jinping, Modi stressed that India and China must be “partners, not rivals.” Both leaders agreed to ease border tensions, discuss troop pullbacks at the LAC, and explore restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights. Trade imbalance was also key, with Modi pressing China to buy more Indian goods, as India currently faces a $99 billion trade gap.
Xi Jinping gifted India a Tang dynasty artwork of Lord Ganesha, symbolising friendship. He described India as the Elephant and China as the Dragon, calling for unity to lead the developing world.At the SCO session, Modi spoke strongly against terrorism, calling it a threat to humanity. He also highlighted the need for connectivity with respect for sovereignty, seen as a message to China’s Belt and Road projects.While Modi also met Russian President Vladimir Putin, his cold body language with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif reflected ongoing strains after Operation Sindoor.
