Indian diaspora in Tianjin welcomes PM Modi ahead of high-stakes SCO meetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a rousing welcome by the Indian community on his arrival in Tianjin (China) on Saturday. Members of the diaspora gathered outside his hotel with cheers and cultural performances, reflecting the enthusiasm of the local Indian community.

Modi landed at Tianjin’s Binhai International Airport earlier in the day, where he was received by senior officials from both India and China. His two-day visit includes participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on Sunday, August 31.

In Tianjin, China, the Indian community gave a warm welcome to PM @narendramodi. Here are a few glimpses. pic.twitter.com/EMSPh8Iv3E

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 30, 2025

On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister is set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The SCO gathering is seen as particularly significant for India, coming shortly after the United States imposed 50 per cent tariffs, including a 25 per cent levy linked to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude oil.

#WATCH | Tianjin, China: “It was so exciting. I think we did our best. I think the PM liked our classical music. It was an honour. He is such a nice person, I had never expected..,” says one of the artists who gave an Indian classical music performance to welcome PM Narendra… pic.twitter.com/PR13JVGKEu

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2025

The SCO comprises 10 members. In addition to India, they include Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. There are also several dialogue partners and observers. India has been a member of the SCO since 2017, having been an observer since 2005.

During its membership period, India has held the chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and of the SCO Council of Heads of State from 2022 to 2023.This will be PM Modi’s first visit to China following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Recently, India and China have taken several steps to improve their bilateral relationship, including the resumption of trade through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 18-19, both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India at the earliest opportunity and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed on facilitating visas for tourists, businesses, media, and other visitors in both directions.

Both sides agreed to uphold multilateralism, enhance communication on major international and regional issues, maintain a rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and promote a multipolar world that safeguards the interests of developing countries.

With inputs from agencies