Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached China to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit after a gap of seven years. He last visited China in 2018 for the same forum. Modi arrived in Beijing on Saturday after completing his two-day visit to Japan. The SCO Summit will take place between August 31 and September 1, with participation from leaders of over 20 countries.

Warm welcome at the airport and hotel

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi received a grand welcome. At the airport, a Chinese girl presented him with a bouquet, and cultural artists performed traditional Chinese dances. Red carpet arrangements were made for his reception. Modi also greeted Indian and Chinese officials at the airport. Later, when he reached a hotel in Tianjin, members of the Indian community welcomed him with slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram. Chinese artists trained in Indian classical music and dance performed Odissi and other classical forms to showcase cultural ties.

Modi to hold talks with Xi and Putin

Besides the main summit, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. With Putin, discussions are likely to include his proposed visit to India in December. These meetings are seen as crucial in the current global environment, as the world deals with US President Donald Trump’s high tariff policies, which imposed 50 percent duties on India and 30 percent on China.

Visit comes at a critical time

According to China’s Global Times, Modi’s visit could play a big role in reducing tensions between India and China and give momentum to bilateral talks. Xi Jinping is expected to use this platform to showcase an alternative to the US-led global order. The summit may also send a message that attempts by the United States to isolate countries like China, Russia, Iran, and now India have not succeeded.

Terrorism and security on the agenda

The issue of terrorism is expected to feature prominently in the summit discussions. India is likely to push for stronger support from member states on this matter, especially since Pakistan is also a member of the SCO. Notably, India had earlier refused to sign a joint statement during the SCO defense ministers’ meet in Qingdao in June 2025 because it did not mention the April 22 Pahala terror attack. Modi’s presence now gives India an opportunity to highlight terrorism as a collective challenge.

Jaishankar’s visit prepared the ground

This trip follows External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to China last month. During that visit, Jaishankar met President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks focused on water data sharing, easing trade restrictions, reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and a joint stand against terrorism and extremism. Reports suggest that his meetings laid the groundwork for Prime Minister Modi’s ongoing China visit.

The story in a nutshell

• PM Modi reaches China after seven years for SCO Summit
• Summit takes place from August 31 to September 1 in Beijing
• Warm welcome with cultural performances and red carpet reception
• Modi to hold bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin
• Talks with Putin to include his December visit to India
• Global focus on countering US tariff policies and trade issues
• India expected to raise terrorism strongly during summit deliberations