The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025, held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025, marked a significant diplomatic engagement, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance being his first visit to China in seven years. This event signaled a potential recalibration of bilateral relations between India and China amidst evolving global dynamics.
The summit, noted as the largest in the organization's history, convened leaders from over 20 nations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping, focusing on enhancing economic and strategic ties. Both leaders acknowledged positive progress since their last meeting in Kazan in October 2024, reaffirming India and China as development partners, not rivals. Agreements were reached to foster greater understanding and economic exchange, including the resumption of direct flights and the reopening of border trade routes.
The summit also served as a platform for broader geopolitical discourse. Leaders addressed critical issues such as the collective fight against terrorism, the promotion of regional trade, and infrastructure development. The adoption of the Tianjin Declaration articulated a collective aspiration for a more just and balanced international governance framework. Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced criticism of certain Western policies, particularly concerning the conflict in Ukraine, and highlighted the SCO's role as an alternative to Western-aligned alliances.
While the summit projected a sense of unity on issues like combating terrorism, India's decision not to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative underscored the complexities within their bilateral relationship. Expert analysis suggests the Tianjin meeting solidified efforts to stabilize India-China relations, characterized by pragmatism and restraint. This diplomatic engagement, occurring amidst global economic uncertainties, emphasizes the SCO's growing importance as a forum for non-Western strategic coordination and its potential to shape a multipolar world order.