India–China Summit at SCO 2025: A Strategic Pivot Amid Trade Tensions

Overview

At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in seven years. The meeting comes amidst escalating U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and evolving regional dynamics.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• Partners, Not Rivals: Modi and Xi publicly declared that India and China should be seen as partners, not competitors, signaling an intent to stabilize and strengthen bilateral ties.
• Strategic Autonomy: PM Modi emphasized maintaining India’s strategic autonomy, particularly relevant against the backdrop of strained U.S.–India relations and punitive tariffs.
• Global Institutional Reform: Both leaders expressed doubts about the effectiveness of global bodies like the WTO and UN, advocating for reform and greater inclusivity.
• Broader SCO Vision: President Xi outlined an expanded vision for the SCO, proposing an SCO-run development bank, an energy cooperation platform, and enhanced financial support to member states.
• Strategic Response to U.S. Tariffs: Modi’s presence and diplomatic overtures toward China and Russia are seen as partly in response to the U.S.’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, especially over oil imports from Russia.

Why This Meeting Matters (UPSC Relevance)

• Diplomacy & Geopolitics (GS Paper II): Reflects India’s strategic balancing amid U.S.–China tensions.
• International Relations (GS Paper II): Signal of Asia-centric cooperation and pushback against Western economic dominance.
• Economic Diplomacy (GS Paper III): Potential pivot in trade alignments as Indian exporters face barriers from U.S. policies.
• Current Affairs Prelims: Coverage includes SCO, bilateral diplomacy, global institution reform, and tariff impacts.

Highlight