Modi Plans China Visit, SCO Summit to Ease Border Tensions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, marking his first visit since 2018 and a significant step in improving strained India-China relations. The visit follows recent high-level meetings between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian leaders, including Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, focusing on easing border tensions, resuming trade, and enhancing cooperation. Both countries, which clashed in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border, are seeking to reduce troop presence, maintain peace, and view each other as partners rather than adversaries amid broader geopolitical challenges. Efforts to rebuild ties include easing trade restrictions, resuming tourist visas, and exploring collaboration in key sectors like rare earth metals, fertilizers, and infrastructure technology. Despite progress such as border patrol agreements and partial troop withdrawals, relations remain cautious, with ongoing dialogue and confidence-building measures continuing. The developments reflect a tentative thaw in relations between two Asian powers competing for regional influence while balancing complex global alliances.