Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Tianjin, China, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which takes place from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This meeting is significant as both leaders are expected to discuss ways to stabilize India-China relations amidst a complex geopolitical environment.

PM Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday, after concluding his trip to Japan. Upon arrival at Tianjin Binhai International Airport, he was greeted with a colorful welcome. "Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO summit and meeting various world leaders," Modi posted on X. This marks PM Modi's first visit to China since 2018. He last met Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.

The meeting between Modi and Xi is seen as crucial for addressing bilateral tensions and exploring opportunities for cooperation. The two leaders are expected to take stock of India-China economic ties and deliberate on steps to further normalize relations. Discussions will likely cover trade, tariffs, and regional stability.

Several factors have contributed to the need for improved relations between India and China. A deadly skirmish between border forces in the Himalayas in 2020 had caused relations to plummet. However, in 2024, both sides reached a deal on their remote frontier, signaling a willingness to de-escalate tensions. In recent months, multiple steps have been taken to normalize ties, including the resumption of trade through various passes.

Adding another layer of complexity, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, prompting India to seek stronger partnerships with China and other Eurasian players. Analysts suggest that China sees the trade war with the US as an opportunity to draw India away from US-led political and military blocs like the QUAD. The US will be closely watching the interactions between India and China at the SCO summit.

The SCO summit itself is a significant event, with over 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international organizations expected to attend. The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. The summit is expected to provide a platform for members to discuss common grievances, particularly concerning trade relations with the US. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to attend the summit. Putin stated that the summit will "strengthen the SCO's capacity to respond to contemporary challenges and threats, and consolidate solidarity across the shared Eurasian space".

The SCO is viewed by some as a counterweight to NATO. China has long sought to present the SCO as a non-Western-led power bloc that promotes a new type of international relations. India has been a member of SCO since 2017 and held the presidency of the Council of Heads of State of SCO during 2022-23.