Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 and Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 1 in Tianjin, coinciding with the SCO summit.

This marks Modi’s first visit to China in more than seven years. The meetings occur amid growing US tariffs on Indian exports linked to its Russian oil imports.

While India-China relations have gradually stabilized since the 2020 Galwan incident, ties with Russia continue to retain strategic significance despite international sanctions.

The SCO summit, hosting 20+ leaders, offers China a platform to showcase its Global South leadership and India a chance to reinforce its multilateral role.