In a move that could signal a significant thaw in India-China relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to visit China later this August—his first trip there in six years.
The announcement came during a key diplomatic meeting in New Delhi between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to Doval, Modi will travel to Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which begins on August 31.
“Our Prime Minister will be visiting for the SCO summit,” Doval confirmed, highlighting the emergence of a “new energy” in diplomatic ties between the two nations.
On the Chinese side, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized how crucial this visit is for both countries. Speaking through an official translator, Wang said, “China attaches great importance to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the SCO summit.” He continued, “History and reality prove again and again that a healthy and stable China–India relationship serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both our countries.”
Wang is also expected to meet Modi later today, adding further weight to this diplomatic push.
Why This Visit Matters
The visit comes at a crucial time. India and China—the world’s two most populous nations—have had a rocky relationship in recent years. Tensions peaked during the deadly 2020 border clash in the Galwan Valley, which deeply strained ties.
Despite competing for regional influence, both sides seem eager to lower the temperature. Wang Yi, during his meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar yesterday, called for a shift in perspective:
“The two countries should view each other as partners and opportunities, rather than adversaries or threats,” he said.
India’s growing ties with the Quad alliance—comprising the US, Australia, Japan, and itself—have also added complexity to the China-India equation, especially amid broader geopolitical shifts and global trade disruptions triggered by past US-China tensions.
Yet, this visit could be the beginning of something different. Something more hopeful.
Diplomacy, after all, is not just about agreements—it’s about showing up. And Modi showing up in China after six years could speak louder than words.
