New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, marking his first visit to the country since 2019, according to NDTV. The visit comes after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, making it a crucial diplomatic engagement.
During the August 31–September 1 SCO Summit, Modi is expected to discuss key regional challenges such as security, terrorism, and trade with fellow member nations. Sources indicate that Modi might hold informal talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines, aiming to promote dialogue and reduce border tensions.
This potential trilateral meeting would be the first since the BRICS summit in Kazan (October 2024), where efforts to de-escalate the India-China border standoff began to gain traction.
Before arriving in China, Modi will visit Japan on August 30 for the annual India-Japan Summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The leaders will review progress on bilateral cooperation in strategic, technological, and economic sectors.
A highlight of the Japan visit will be discussions on adopting the Shinkansen E10 high-speed train technology for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project. The summit will also focus on strengthening ties in defence, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific collaboration.
Further, Japan and India are expected to explore joint investments in semiconductors, green energy, and digital infrastructure, enhancing their role in global supply chains.