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Modi Xi Jinping meet at the SCO Summit

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a consequential meeting with President Xi Jinping, signalling renewed momentum in India-China ties. The leaders emphasised “peace and tranquillity in border areas,” mutual respect, and a shared commitment to cooperation—a message that resonates deeply amid heightened geopolitical strains caused by rising U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.

Strategic Recalibration Against U.S. Trade Pressures

The backdrop to Modi’s visit is the U.S. administration under President Trump imposing steep 50% tariffs on Indian exports, citing energy imports from Russia as a trigger. This punitive stance has sent shock waves through India’s economic and diplomatic posture, compelling New Delhi to diversify its international engagement.

Had a fruitful meeting with President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. We reviewed the positive momentum in India-China relations since our last meeting in Kazan. We agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas and… pic.twitter.com/HBYS5lhe9d

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2025

Modi’s presence at the SCO Summit—his first visit to China in seven years—alongside global heavyweights like Xi and Putin, serves a dual strategic purpose:

• Diplomatic hedging: Broadening India’s multilateral ties to buffer against U.S. uncertainty.
• Geopolitical messaging: Showcasing India’s autonomy and readiness to engage with power centres in Eurasia.

Key Highlights from the Modi Xi Jinping Meeting

• Modi Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to “mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity”, agreeing to uphold peace along the Line of Actual Control.
• India advanced practical cooperation: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumption, direct flights restoration, and trade ties normalisation.
• Their renewed engagement comes as a clear signal of India’s desire for stability and balanced diplomacy amid rising global tensions.

Geopolitical Implications of Modi Xi Jinping meeting

• Multipolar positioning: India aligns itself with the principles of the SCO—diversity, regional cooperation, and multipolar transition—to counterbalance U.S. dominance.
• Economic resilience: By amplifying ties with China, Russia, and SCO allies, India aims to counteract disruptions from U.S. trade retaliation.
• Strategic messaging: The optics of Modi standing with Xi and Putin highlight India’s evolving foreign policy—versatile, interest-driven, and independent.

What’s Next?

India’s diplomatic strategy is clear: reduce overreliance on any single partner by deepening ties across Eurasia. As Trump doubles down on tariffs, India is likely to:

• Accelerate trade and investment ties with the SCO nations.
• Strengthen energy and defence cooperation beyond Western ties.
• Continue promoting its narrative of strategic autonomy, resisting alignment pressure.

Modi Xi Jinping meeting at the SCO Summit showcases a calculated move to harness global friction for diplomatic leverage—reinforcing India’s sizable strategic footprint in an increasingly multipolar world.

#ModiXiSCO #IndiaChina #SCO2025 #Geopolitics #StrategicAutonomy