New Delhi/Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China on August 30 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. During the visit, Modi will hold a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday, August 31.
This meeting is being seen as highly significant, coming at a time when US President Donald Trump has announced steep 50% tariffs on Indian exports, while offering some tariff relief to China. Against this backdrop, Modi’s talks with Jinping could play a crucial role in shaping the future of India-China relations and balancing global trade dynamics.
India-China Diplomatic Ties: A Journey of Ups and Downs
-
1950: India and China formally established diplomatic relations on April 1, 1950.
-
1962: The border war deeply damaged ties.
-
1988: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit marked the first major step toward normalization.
-
2003: Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit introduced the Special Representative mechanism.
-
2005: Wen Jiabao’s India visit elevated the relationship to a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.
Renewed Engagements and Challenges
-
2014–2015: Xi Jinping’s visit to India and Modi’s return visit to China boosted economic partnership.
-
2018–2019: Informal summits in Wuhan and Chennai helped build trust.
-
2020: The LAC standoff in Ladakh strained relations significantly.
-
2024: Modi and Xi Jinping’s meeting during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia restored some confidence.
Now, the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin is expected to provide another opportunity for both leaders to reset ties, particularly in the areas of trade, infrastructure cooperation, and regional security. China has already assured India of economic cooperation, including assistance with advanced tunnel-digging technology.
US Angle: Trump’s Tariff Pressure
India-China rapprochement may not sit well with Washington. President Trump recently slapped a 50% tariff on Indian exports, while simultaneously easing certain trade restrictions on China. Analysts suggest that a closer India-China engagement could add to Trump’s unease, as New Delhi looks for alternatives to counterbalance US trade pressures.
Conclusion
The Modi-Jinping meeting in Tianjin could mark a crucial moment for India-China diplomacy. While historical disputes and border tensions remain unresolved, the meeting signals a possibility of pragmatic cooperation amid global trade challenges. For India, striking the right balance between US ties and China engagement will be key in the days ahead.