India’s Modi to Meet Xi and Putin on First China Trip in Seven Years Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions

PM’s four-day trip, which includes Japan visit, comes as Delhi seeks to diversify trade and bolster ties with Beijing

According to Rokna, citing The Guardian Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on his first visit to China in over seven years, marking a significant diplomatic shift as he attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. Scheduled for August 31 to September 1, the summit will see Modi engage in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on regional security and economic cooperation.

This visit comes at a time of strained relations between India and the United States. President Donald Trump's recent decision to double tariffs on Indian exports to 50%—citing India's continued purchase of Russian oil—has prompted New Delhi to reassess its foreign policy and seek alternative partnerships.

In a related development, Modi is currently in Japan for a two-day official visit, aiming to bolster the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The visit includes the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, during which Japan is expected to pledge over ¥10 trillion (approximately $68 billion) in investment to India. Discussions will also cover trade, defense, technology, and science, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and critical minerals.

Modi's engagements in both Japan and China underscore India's strategic efforts to diversify its international relationships and strengthen ties with key global players amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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