Amid Donald Trump's tariff rhetoric, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaning towards China and Russia as part of India's balancing geopolitical tactic. Modi is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin city by end of this month, the first such step from India since the Galwan clash in 2020.
The visit was announced a day after Trump threatened to levy additional tariffs on India over Russian oil purchase, saying New Delhi is fuelling the war machine. This comes on top of the 25 per cent tariffs already announced. India has dismissed Trump’s tariff threats as 'unjustified and unreasonable'.
Is Modi cosying up to the dragon?
Trump's hostile policy towards India, despite close ties with Modi, has definitely pushed New Delhi to improve its ties with Beijing. With the pre-2020 border status restored and both sides reaching an agreement on patrolling along the border, there is no reason for India to keep distance from China.
The last time Modi visited China was in 2019. However, he had met Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024. During the Kazan meeting, Modi told the Chinese president that their priority should be maintaining peace and stability on the borders.
In June this year, both sides decided to negotiate trade and economical issues in a bid to mend the relations. Recently, India and China had agreed to take measures to resume direct air services that have been suspended since 2020.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday arrived in Moscow on a two-day state visit to discuss defence cooperation. Doval's meeting will also bring up US decision to impose tariffs on India over purchase of Russian oil. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also scheduled to visit the Russian capital later in August.
