Overview

• Narendra Modi is attending the SCO gathering in Tianjin at Xi Jinping’s invitation, marking his first visit to China in seven years.
• Beijing is positioning the SCO as a counterweight to Western alliances, with attendees including Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Masud Peseschkian and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres.
• U.S. measures under President Donald Trump, including tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods and a stalled trade deal, have accelerated India’s recalibration toward limited engagement with China.
• India underscores strategic autonomy rather than realignment, advancing practical steps such as restoring direct flights and easing visas while relying on trade ties exceeding $118 billion and an Indian deficit above $85 billion.
• Enduring flashpoints persist along the Himalayan border, including the deadly Galwan clash, China’s claim to Arunachal Pradesh and large opposing troop deployments.