Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China next month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, according to a report by the Economic Times on July 16, 2025. This potential visit would mark Modi’s first trip to China since the tense 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which severely strained relations between the neighboring nations.
The SCO summit will take place in Tianjin on August 31 and September 1. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that the gathering will include leaders from over 20 countries and representatives of 10 international organizations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other heads of SCO member states are also expected to attend the summit.
A possible meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is being closely watched. Their last face-to-face interaction took place during the BRICS summit in Russia in October 2024. Although there is no official confirmation of Modi’s visit yet, diplomatic sources suggest that efforts are underway to prepare for high-level talks.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to China is seen as a key step in setting the stage for Modi’s anticipated trip. On July 16, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Jaishankar conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, while updating Xi on recent developments in India-China relations.
During his Beijing visit, Jaishankar also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a forward-looking approach to bilateral ties and recommended reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Jaishankar highlighted the progress made in normalizing ties over the past nine months but stressed the need to avoid trade restrictions and border escalations.
The 2020 Galwan Valley incident was the worst India-China border clash in over four decades, leading to soldier casualties on both sides. Since then, both countries have been working to mend ties, including reviving the Special Representatives dialogue and resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly five years.
In addition to China, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to travel to Japan in late August to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This would be his first Japan visit since attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May 2023.
