Introduction
India’s foreign policy has historically oscillated between balancing great power politics and safeguarding its strategic autonomy. The 2025 SCO Summit in China witnessed a landmark moment: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first bilateral engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping since the 2020 military standoff. The visit not only revived dormant dialogues but also underscored India’s shifting posture in a multipolar world marked by U.S. sanctions, instability in West Asia, and contestations within Eurasia.
Significance of Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to China
- Seven-year gap: PM Modi had not travelled to China since 2017, making this a major diplomatic breakthrough.
- First bilateral since standoff: Meeting with Xi Jinping was the first since the 2020 military confrontation along the LAC.
- Three-year SCO absence: Modi’s return to SCO after three years shows India’s willingness to re-engage with a grouping seen as anti-Western.
- Optics of bonhomie: Images with Xi and Putin evoked memories of the inactive Russia-India-China trilateral, signalling recalibration.
Revival of India-China Bilateral Engagement
- Troop disengagement: Both leaders endorsed the normalisation process initiated in October 2024.
- Boundary resolution: Agreed to fast-track talks between Special Representatives.
- Connectivity revival: Resumption of direct flights and visa facilitation announced.
- Economic ties: Leaders stressed on building trade relations to stabilise world commerce.
- Mutual trust rhetoric: Modi stressed ties based on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity”, while Xi used the metaphor of “Dragon and Elephant” coming together.
External Drivers of India’s Foreign Policy Recalibration
- U.S. tariffs and sanctions: American restrictions and mistrust of the Trump administration nudged India to diversify partnerships.
- Strategic compulsion: India managed to side-step concerns like China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, UNSC/NSG opposition, and shielding of terrorists.
- Multipolar optics: India’s engagement at SCO signals balancing between West and Eurasia.
Key Outcomes of the 2025 SCO Summit
- Tianjin declaration: Strong language against cross-border terrorism, including condemnation of the Pahalgam attack (India) and Balochistan attacks (Pakistan).
- West Asian crisis: SCO united on humanitarian crisis in Gaza and condemned U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
- China’s push: Xi proposed an SCO Development Bank.
- India’s push: Modi proposed a Civilisational Dialogue among SCO members.
- India’s reservation: Continued opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) paragraph.
Missed Diplomatic Opportunities at the Summit
- Skipped SCO Plus: Indian Prime Minister did not attend the extended “SCO Plus” Summit, limiting engagement with neighbourhood and Global South leaders.
- Regional bonding gap: While optics were strong, substantive regional outreach was diluted.
Conclusion
The SCO Summit underscored India’s willingness to recalibrate its foreign policy in a changing world order. Modi’s visit after years of distance marked a thaw with China, greater Eurasian engagement, and assertion of India’s independent foreign policy despite U.S. pressures. However, missed opportunities in broader outreach and unresolved trust deficits with China remain cautionary notes.
Value Addition |
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Historical Background
Strategic Importance of SCO for India
Key SCO Mechanisms
India’s Challenges within SCO
Contemporary Relevance
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PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2021] Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
Linkage: The article directly illustrates the objectives of SCO—counter-terrorism (Tianjin declaration), multipolarity, and Eurasian stability. It highlights India’s balancing act—reviving ties with China, opposing BRI, and pushing for civilisational dialogue. Thus, the SCO Summit outcomes reflect both the scope and constraints of SCO’s importance for India in strategic, economic, and security domains.
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