Tianjin, China – August 31, 2025 – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signaled a potential thaw in relations during the Shanghai Cooperation Institution (SCO) summit in Tianjin, as both nations navigate complex geopolitical dynamics and strained ties with the United States. This marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years.
The SCO summit, described by China’s Xinhua news agency as the “largest-ever,” brings together the 10-member bloc – China, india, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and belarus - alongside 16 observer and “dialog partner” countries. Beijing is leveraging the forum to promote regional cooperation and present an alternative to the Western-led global order amid ongoing trade and security disputes with Washington.
Recent tensions with the U.S., including tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, have reportedly fostered closer ties between New Delhi and Beijing. The SCO provides a platform for India to balance its relationships as it seeks to navigate a shifting global landscape.
The SCO, founded in 2001, has historically been dominated by China and Russia, serving as a forum for economic and security cooperation. Moscow’s reliance on the bloc has deepened following its war in Ukraine.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also in attendance, emphasized the importance of multilateralism and described China as a “basic pillar” of the international system.
