Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in China for the first time in seven years, marking an important moment in regional diplomacy. His visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit will include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling New Delhi’s intention to strengthen ties with both powers.
The trip comes at a delicate time for India’s international relations. The United States recently doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, a move seen as retaliation for India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The sharp increase in trade barriers threatens billions of dollars in exports and has added significant pressure on India’s economy.
Amid these tensions, Modi’s engagement with China and Russia highlights a broader shift toward balancing Western partnerships with closer coordination in Asia. Relations between India and China, strained since the 2020 border clashes, have shown signs of improvement in recent months. Modi’s visit is expected to further ease tensions, opening space for greater economic and strategic cooperation.
Beyond China, India is also seeking to diversify its alliances. Partnerships with Japan and other Asian nations are being expanded, particularly in high-value industries and critical resources such as rare earths. This effort reflects India’s broader strategy of reducing reliance on any single bloc while asserting its role in shaping a multipolar world order.
By participating in the SCO summit and holding direct talks with both Xi and Putin, Modi is signaling that India intends to maintain strategic autonomy, even as its relationship with Washington undergoes new challenges.
