US-India Ties at a Crossroads as Modi and Xi Jinping Meet at SCO Summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin will be the setting for crucial meetings involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This summit is vital for India, especially in light of the strain in relations with the United States because of Donald Trump’s trade policies. Seven years have passed since Modi last visited China. The current environment sees India and China trying to get their relationship on a positive trajectory, amidst global instability caused by Trump’s trade strategies. Modi will engage in two bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping and one with President Putin. Sharing the stage with Xi and Putin offers Modi an opportunity to send a message to Trump. The talks between Modi and Xi are of great significance. Last year, the leaders started talks after years of tension. US policies, at one time, attempted to create a divide between India and China, but have been altered. President Xi has called for a ‘dragon-elephant tango.’ Wang Yi, during his visit to Delhi, encouraged both nations to regard each other as ‘partners,’ leading to agreements on direct flights, visa facilitation, and the reopening of border trading points. It was also decided that border issues would not negatively impact other bilateral matters. Stable relations with China can lessen the impact of US tariffs. This could help India in its efforts to diminish its reliance on the US market.