The visit will likely be clubbed with PM Modi’s scheduled travel to Japan for the annual bilateral summit, marking a significant moment in regional diplomacy. (Photo: Social Media)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, officials familiar with the development said. If confirmed, this will be Modi’s first visit to China since 2018 and comes in the backdrop of India’s ongoing efforts to normalize ties after the eastern Ladakh border standoff.
The visit will likely be clubbed with PM Modi’s scheduled travel to Japan for the annual bilateral summit, marking a significant moment in regional diplomacy.
Though PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, the SCO meeting would be the first visit to China post the border crisis that has strained ties for nearly five years.
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Their structured meeting in Kazan came just after India and China agreed on a new patrolling mechanism along their disputed border.
At the meeting, PM Modi emphasized the importance of restoring trust.“This is our first formal meeting after five years. Excellence, we welcome the agreements that we have reached on the border. Maintaining peace and tranquillity over the border should remain our priority, and mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relationship. I am confident that we will hold talks with an open heart and our discussions will be constructive,” he said.
President Xi responded by acknowledging the need for deeper communication and cooperation.
“It is important for India and China to have more communication and cooperation and properly handle differences and disagreements,” Xi said, stressing that both countries must “set an example for boosting the strength and unity of developing countries.”
In June 2025, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi, where both sides agreed to resolve trade and economic concerns and accelerate the resumption of direct air services suspended since 2020.
Defence cooperation remains sensitive. In June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the SCO joint communique for omitting mention of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. However, China later condemned the attack, aligning with India’s stance on regional terrorism.
“China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
The 10-member SCO now includes China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.
