Observers noted that Modi’s visit is being closely watched, particularly in the context of India-China relations, which have faced strain since the border clashes of 2020….reports Asian Lite News
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Saturday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tianjin as he arrived to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, expressing confidence that the visit would give fresh impetus to bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
“Warmly welcome Prime Minister Modi to China to attend #SCOsummit. Confident that this visit will inject new momentum into #China-India relations,” Xu posted on X shortly before the Indian leader’s formal engagements began.
The Prime Minister received a warm reception at the airport, followed by vibrant cultural performances at the hotel where he is staying. The event featured traditional Kathak and Odissi dances, highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage and underscoring the cultural diplomacy accompanying the official visit. Members of the Indian diaspora in Tianjin also gathered to greet Modi with enthusiasm, waving flags and chanting slogans in a show of solidarity.
India is participating in the SCO Summit as an active and constructive member. During its Presidency of the regional bloc in 2023, New Delhi introduced new initiatives in areas such as innovation, healthcare, digital cooperation, and cultural exchange. Officials said India continues to view the SCO as a key platform for addressing regional security, counterterrorism efforts, economic collaboration, and people-to-people ties.
In his departure statement ahead of the visit, Modi underlined India’s commitment to working closely with fellow SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen cooperation. “I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the Summit,” he said, signalling that bilateral meetings will form an important part of his agenda.
The SCO Summit comes at a time of complex regional dynamics, including heightened geopolitical tensions, global economic uncertainties, and the need for collective responses to challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and energy security. India has consistently called for greater collaboration within the SCO framework while also emphasising respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Observers noted that Modi’s visit is being closely watched, particularly in the context of India-China relations, which have faced strain since the border clashes of 2020. The warm messaging from the Chinese ambassador has been interpreted by analysts as a signal of Beijing’s willingness to ease tensions and explore new avenues for dialogue. However, substantive progress on longstanding disputes remains uncertain.
Beyond security and diplomacy, India is also expected to push for stronger economic engagement through the SCO. Areas of focus are likely to include supply chain resilience, digital connectivity, and sustainable development initiatives. New Delhi has sought to promote the idea of “reformed multilateralism” and the need for cooperative frameworks that respond to the needs of developing nations.
For Modi, the summit also provides an opportunity to reaffirm India’s role as a responsible regional player while engaging major powers, including China and Russia, in direct dialogue. With the SCO increasingly seen as an important platform shaping Eurasian geopolitics, India’s participation is set to draw considerable global attention.
As cultural performances, diaspora enthusiasm, and diplomatic signalling framed his arrival, expectations are that the Prime Minister’s presence at the SCO will mark both continuity and fresh momentum in India’s regional engagement.
