Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, a key meeting that brings together leaders from across Asia to discuss regional security, cooperation, and development.

This trip comes at an interesting time, especially as India-China relations have been strained in recent years. However, Modi’s participation signals that despite tensions, diplomatic engagement remains a priority.

The SCO is a political, economic, and security alliance that includes countries like Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. India joined the group as a full member in 2017. Over the years, the summit has become an important platform for regional dialogue—especially on issues like terrorism, economic development, and border security.

Government officials have not yet confirmed if Modi will hold a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit. However, experts believe such a possibility cannot be ruled out, especially with growing global attention on Indo-China ties.

India is also expected to raise concerns related to connectivity, trade imbalance, and regional security, including its stance on Afghanistan and counterterrorism efforts.

The visit may not lead to any major breakthrough, but it shows that India is open to multilateral talks, even with countries it has complex relations with. This could help maintain regional stability and keep communication channels open