Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to China later this month to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to the country since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020 that led to a sharp deterioration in India-China relations.

The SCO summit, scheduled to be held in Beijing, will bring together the heads of state of the eight-member regional bloc, which includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The visit comes at a time when geopolitical tensions remain high in the region, and observers see it as a potential opportunity for renewed dialogue between India and China.

First Visit Since Galwan Standoff

Prime Minister Modi’s visit is particularly significant as it will be his first official trip to China since June 2020, when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. The incident marked the worst military confrontation between the two nations in over four decades and led to a prolonged military standoff at multiple points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In the aftermath of the clash, bilateral relations were severely strained, with both sides deploying thousands of troops and heavy weaponry in the high-altitude region. Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have since taken place, resulting in partial disengagement in some areas, but full restoration of the status quo remains elusive.

Diplomatic Calculations Behind the Visit

Sources within the Indian government say the decision to attend the SCO summit in person reflects India’s broader strategic objective of engaging with multilateral institutions while also signaling its readiness for dialogue without compromising on national security interests.

“India remains committed to constructive engagement with all SCO member states. The Prime Minister’s participation underscores the importance India places on regional cooperation in areas of security, connectivity, and counterterrorism,” a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs said.

However, the official added that there are currently no confirmed plans for a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit. “Any such meeting would depend on the evolving diplomatic agenda and outcomes of the summit,” the official noted.

India’s Strategic Interests in the SCO

India became a full member of the SCO in 2017 and has since actively participated in its various initiatives. The organization offers a platform for dialogue on key regional and global issues, including security, economic cooperation, energy, and connectivity.

While India’s relations with some SCO members — particularly China and Pakistan — remain complex, New Delhi sees the forum as a vital space to engage with Central Asian nations and counterbalance growing Chinese influence in the region.

At the upcoming summit, India is expected to push for stronger regional cooperation on counterterrorism, drug trafficking, cyber security, and infrastructure development. Discussions are also likely to include the situation in Afghanistan and the evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.