PM Modi to Meet President Jinping on Sunday, Will Also Meet the Myanmar Military Chief Ahead of the SCO summit

PM Modi to Meet President Jinping: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday evening. This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, amid global trade disruptions and changing alliances. The visit comes after a nearly year-long effort by both sides to reconcile their differences regarding the contentious border issue and normalise relations through steps already implemented, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage for Indian nationals and issuance of tourist visas for Chinese citizens.

As previously reported, Prime Minister Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping on Sunday, marking the first session of several planned over the next two days. Additionally, the key event of the first day will also include a possible meeting with Myanmar’s acting President and military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

After reaching China, Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X, “Reached Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders.”

PM Modi’s Diplomatic Run: Ahead of SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Tianjin on his first official visit to China in seven years. He has a packed agenda, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for early September 2025.

The visit serves several strategic objectives:

1. Ease bilateral tensions

After years of high tensions, including the 2020 Ladakh conflict, there appears to be a thaw. Diplomatic signals, the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimages, direct flights and reopening of tourist visas – indicate a slow but clear return to normalcy.

2. Ease US uncertainty

India has been facing increasing economic pressure from heavy US tariffs and unpredictable diplomacy under the Trump administration. Modi’s tour, including stops in Japan and Russia, represents a well-thought-out initiative to diversify partnerships, reduce dependencies and safeguard India’s economic interests.

3. Reasserting strategic autonomy

Through forums like the SCO, Prime Minister Modi is making one thing clear: India will not be boxed into any one geopolitical bloc. His approach of balancing relations with China without aligning with it signals a continued commitment to multipolarity and strategic autonomy.

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