Modi’s Rare China Visit Amid Trump’s Tariff Pressure / Should the US be worried?

“According to Rokna, citing reputable international media” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the first time since 2018 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit comes as U.S. President Donald Trump imposes a 50% tariff on Indian imports.

The trip signals a recalibration in India’s foreign policy, balancing economic and diplomatic priorities while safeguarding national security. Leaders from Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries will also attend the SCO summit.

The hefty U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, imposed over India’s purchase of Russian oil, have created an opening for closer ties between India and China. While analysts say Trump’s measures were not the “primary driver” of the reset, Washington’s economic pressure accelerated the process.

The Modi-Xi meeting is expected to focus on boosting bilateral trade, resuming direct flights, and advancing efforts to reduce border tensions. The Himalayan border, scene of deadly clashes in Galwan Valley in 2020, remains the main obstacle to trust-building between the two countries.

Through this visit, India is exercising its policy of “strategic autonomy,” prioritizing national interests without full dependence on any global bloc. At the same time, it maintains strong ties with the U.S. and the Quad alliance, seen as a democratic counterweight to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

Experts note that the primary goal of this recalibration is to de-escalate tensions and prevent new conflicts. It does not signal a complete pivot of India away from the U.S. toward China. The future of India-China relations will hinge on both sides’ ability to manage border issues while maintaining economic and diplomatic stability.