Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on August 31 and September 1, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval announced during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday. Speaking at the 24th Special Representatives (SR) Dialogue on the boundary question, Doval emphasized the “new energy and momentum” in India-China relations, highlighting the restoration of peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The announcement marks the first official confirmation of Modi’s visit, his first to China since 2018, signaling a significant step toward rebuilding bilateral ties.
Wang’s two-day visit to India, which began on Monday, is primarily focused on the SR talks, aimed at addressing the lingering India-China border dispute. Doval noted that bilateral engagements have become “more substantial” following the disengagement of troops from friction points like Demchok and Depsang, completed under an October 2024 agreement. However, with each side still maintaining 50,000–60,000 troops along the LAC, both nations are now deliberating on new confidence-building measures to further de-escalate tensions and ensure lasting peace.
The SR dialogue follows a pivotal meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, where they agreed to revive dialogue mechanisms strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Doval’s December 2024 visit to China for the previous SR round laid the groundwork for renewed cooperation, including initiatives like the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and India’s reissuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals. These steps reflect a mutual commitment to move beyond the four-year military standoff that had severely impacted relations.
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Tuesday’s talks are expected to focus on reviewing the LAC situation and exploring ways to strengthen trust, with Modi’s upcoming SCO Summit attendance adding urgency to the discussions. The summit, hosted by China, provides a platform for India to engage with regional powers, including Russia and Central Asian nations, amid a complex global landscape marked by U.S.-China trade tensions and the Ukraine conflict. Doval expressed optimism that the SR talks would be “successful,” paving the way for deeper collaboration.
The warming of ties comes as India seeks to balance its strategic partnerships, including with the U.S. and Quad allies, while addressing economic dependencies on China for critical supplies like rare earth minerals and fertilisers. The SCO Summit offers Modi an opportunity to advance India’s regional influence while reinforcing dialogue with Xi. As both nations work to stabilize their relationship, the outcomes of the SR talks and Modi’s China visit could set the tone for future cooperation, with implications for regional security and economic ties.
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