Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to China in seven years. His two-day trip comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% ‘penalty’ for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil—a move that analysts say is nudging India closer to Beijing and Moscow.

On Sunday, Mr. Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the focus expected to be on sustaining the momentum in India-China relations. Ties between the two Asian giants have improved steadily since the nadir of the Galwan clash in 2020 and the subsequent standoff in Eastern Ladakh.

Ahead of his visit, Mr. Modi emphasised in an interview in Japan that stable and predictable India-China relations are essential not just for both countries but also for regional and global peace. “Our progress has a positive impact on prosperity in Asia and the wider world,” he said, adding that such stability is crucial for a multi-polar global order.

Recent diplomatic exchanges underscore this sentiment. Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi, where both sides agreed to work on a boundary settlement, resume direct flight connectivity, and ease visa facilitation. An expert group will also be established to explore solutions on boundary delimitation.

On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Mr. Modi is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their discussions are likely to cover the fallout of Trump’s tariffs, Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza.

Experts, including those in Washington, argue that Trump’s tariff escalation has damaged India-US ties, pushing New Delhi to diversify partnerships. India, however, is expected to continue its long-standing policy of strategic autonomy—prioritising national interest above alignments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to China in seven years. His two-day trip comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% ‘penalty’ for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil—a move that analysts say is nudging India closer to Beijing and Moscow.

On Sunday, Mr. Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the focus expected to be on sustaining the momentum in India-China relations. Ties between the two Asian giants have improved steadily since the nadir of the Galwan clash in 2020 and the subsequent standoff in Eastern Ladakh.

Ahead of his visit, Mr. Modi emphasised in an interview in Japan that stable and predictable India-China relations are essential not just for both countries but also for regional and global peace. “Our progress has a positive impact on prosperity in Asia and the wider world,” he said, adding that such stability is crucial for a multi-polar global order.

Recent diplomatic exchanges underscore this sentiment. Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi, where both sides agreed to work on a boundary settlement, resume direct flight connectivity, and ease visa facilitation. An expert group will also be established to explore solutions on boundary delimitation.

On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Mr. Modi is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their discussions are likely to cover the fallout of Trump’s tariffs, Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza.

Experts, including those in Washington, argue that Trump’s tariff escalation has damaged India-US ties, pushing New Delhi to diversify partnerships. India, however, is expected to continue its long-standing policy of strategic autonomy—prioritising national interest above alignments.