Tianjin, China – On August 31, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, marking his first visit to China in over seven years. Hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the summit, held from August 31 to September 1, brought together over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and global challenges. The event, the largest in SCO’s history since its founding in 2001, underscored China’s push for Global South solidarity amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Modi held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping on August 31, focusing on stabilizing India-China relations, which have been strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties, including recent steps toward border disengagement in eastern Ladakh and easing trade restrictions. Modi emphasized that stable India-China relations are vital for regional and global peace, building on their discussions at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The talks also addressed U.S. tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, which have targeted Indian exports and Russian oil purchases, prompting both nations to explore stronger economic collaboration.
On September 1, Modi met Putin to strengthen the India-Russia strategic partnership. The discussions covered defense cooperation, trade diversification, and alternative payment systems to counter Western sanctions on Russia. Moscow’s proposal for trilateral talks involving India, China, and Russia was also on the table, reflecting efforts to deepen multilateral engagement. The meeting set the stage for Putin’s planned visit to India later in 2025, marking the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
The SCO Summit, chaired by Xi Jinping, featured keynote speeches outlining China’s vision for the organization, emphasizing the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual respect and cooperation. Leaders signed a declaration, approved a 10-year SCO development strategy, and issued statements commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War victory and the United Nations’ founding. The summit also addressed counterterrorism, connectivity, and climate cooperation, though analysts noted that internal divisions, such as between India and Pakistan, may limit substantive outcomes.
For India, the summit offered a platform to balance its foreign policy amid global realignments. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to SCO’s goals of security, economic development, and respect for sovereignty, while navigating pressures from U.S. tariffs and ongoing border issues with China. The presence of leaders like Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the summit’s role as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions.
As global trade faces turbulence and geopolitical fault lines deepen, the Tianjin Summit showcased the SCO’s growing influence, even as its ability to deliver concrete results remains under scrutiny. For Modi, the meetings with Xi and Putin were a strategic opportunity to advance India’s interests in a shifting world order.
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