Indian PM Modi to Visit China for First Time in 7 Years on August 31

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

New Delhi – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China at the end of August, marking his first trip to the neighboring country in over seven years. The visit comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and the United States, as well as a renewed push by New Delhi to deepen ties within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

According to a senior government source, Modi will attend the upcoming SCO summit in Tianjin on August 31, signaling a fresh attempt to ease long-standing tensions with Beijing. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has yet to formally confirm the visit.

Modi’s planned trip follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on Indian imports — the highest in Asia — potentially affecting up to $64 billion worth of goods. Trump has also warned of additional penalties over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

This shift has strained bilateral relations between the world’s largest and fifth-largest economies, putting at risk a strategic partnership valued at over $190 billion in annual trade.

Modi’s China visit will be his first since June 2018. Diplomatic relations between the two Asian giants had deteriorated sharply following a deadly military clash along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020. However, recent meetings, including talks with President Xi Jinping during a BRICS summit in Russia last year, have paved the way for a cautious thaw.

The two sides are reportedly working to ease travel restrictions and revive stalled business partnerships, as both countries eye regional stability amid rising global tensions.

In parallel diplomatic efforts, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is currently in Moscow to discuss key defense and energy concerns. His agenda includes expediting delivery of Russia’s S-400 missile systems and securing energy supplies amid Washington’s mounting pressure on countries purchasing Russian crude.

India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is also expected to visit Russia in the coming weeks, reinforcing New Delhi’s strategic balancing act between major global powers.

Internal government assessments indicate that India may lose significant competitive edge in exports due to U.S. tariffs, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, apparel, machinery, and IT services.

However, with exports contributing a relatively small share to India’s $4 trillion economy, economists suggest that the direct blow to GDP growth may be contained. The Reserve Bank of India has kept its growth forecast steady at 6.5% for the current fiscal year.

Modi’s decision to engage with China and strengthen ties within the SCO highlights India’s broader strategy to navigate a shifting geopolitical landscape. While New Delhi remains committed to its partnerships with Western allies, the latest developments suggest a nuanced recalibration in foreign policy — one that prioritizes national interests amid global economic and security uncertainties.

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