Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was marked by a warm and enthusiastic reception from the Indian diaspora. This visit, the first in seven years, saw members of the Indian community gather to welcome him with traditional performances and heartfelt displays of patriotism.

Upon his arrival at Binhai International Airport in Tianjin, PM Modi was greeted by senior Chinese and Indian officials. The welcome extended beyond the official protocols, transforming into a vibrant cultural event as he reached his hotel. Members of the Indian diaspora were present, chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" to express their admiration and support for the Prime Minister.

PM Modi also shared glimpses of the reception on X, noting the "very special welcome" he received from the Indian community in Tianjin. The Prime Minister's post was accompanied by visuals of the cultural performances that were organized in his honor.

The reception featured traditional Kathak and Odissi dances, accompanied by classical music. These performances highlighted India's rich cultural heritage and provided a platform for Chinese artists who have dedicated years to learning Indian classical art forms. Zhang Jinghui, an Odissi performer, shared her excitement with ANI, expressing her honor in performing for the Prime Minister and recounting how he inquired about her training in the Indian dance form. She mentioned that she had been learning since childhood and also learned from an Indian guru from Kolkata.

The Indian diaspora members also expressed their enthusiasm after meeting the Prime Minister. Saubhik Mandal, a scientist working in Shanghai, described the experience as "great" and spoke about the immense opportunities for growth in the biotech sector, given the populations of India and China. Mandal also praised PM Modi's mantra of "perform, reform and transform". Zhuang Jing, who performed on the tabla, shared her excitement and honor, adding that she felt the Prime Minister enjoyed their classical music performance.

The SCO Summit is particularly significant for India, taking place against the backdrop of the United States' tariffs, including duties on New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil. Besides attending the SCO Summit, PM Modi is expected to engage in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In recent months, India and China have taken steps to ease tensions and improve relations, including resuming trade through various passes.