Will PM Modi Attend the SCO Summit in China This Month?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's visit marks a crucial diplomatic moment.
- First trip to China since the 2020 Galwan clash.
- Focus on addressing bilateral tensions and fostering dialogue.
- Potential for renewed cooperation among SCO member states.
- Importance of tackling terrorism as a shared concern.
Beijing, Aug 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to visit China for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, scheduled to take place in Tianjin City from August 31 to September 1, according to reports released on Wednesday. This visit marks PM Modi's first trip to China following the Galwan clash in 2020, which had a significant impact on diplomatic relations.
Previously, PM Modi visited China in 2019, and he engaged in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a BRICS Summit meeting in Kazan, Russia in 2024.
The recent progress in diplomatic discussions comes after the Galwan Valley incident in June 2020, which severely tested relations between the two nations. An agreement was reached on patrolling activities along the approximately 3500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC), effectively addressing the four-year border standoff.
In July, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar visited China for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, where he had talks with Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart, and met with President Xi Jinping along with other SCO Foreign Ministers.
Earlier, in June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the SCO Defence Ministers Meeting in China, where India refrained from endorsing the joint declaration, primarily due to the omission of terrorism concerns, which was unacceptable to one nation, resulting in the statement's non-adoption. During his visit, Singh and Admiral Don Jun had a "constructive and forward-looking exchange of views" on bilateral relations.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval also participated in the 20th meeting of the SCO Member States' Security Council Secretaries in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of eliminating double standards in the fight against terrorism and taking decisive actions against UN-listed terrorists and organizations like LeT, JeM, and their affiliates.
The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. Its member nations include India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.