Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun a high-stakes bilateral meeting in Tianjin, China, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. This marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, and the first face-to-face interaction with Xi since relations deteriorated following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. With global attention on this meeting, it is being seen as a critical moment to ease tensions between the two Asian giants. Observers expect this dialogue to act as an “ice-breaker” amid strained ties and ongoing border disputes. The backdrop of U.S. tariffs under President Trump has further complicated the geopolitical scenario, adding weight to this conversation. Modi is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow, signaling a strategic pivot in India’s multilateral engagements. As global trade realigns, the outcomes of these meetings could influence regional and international dynamics.
