【By Guochezhe, Observers Network】On August 6, several Indian media outlets, including "Today's India," reported that sources have revealed that Indian Prime Minister Modi is planning to visit Tianjin, China from August 31 to September 1, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit. If this trip takes place, it will be Modi's first visit to China since 2018.

The report said that before attending the summit, Modi will first visit Japan on August 30 to jointly participate in the annual summit of the two countries with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and then he will go to China.

"The Indian Express" and "Economic Times" also stated that according to the information from sources, Modi will officially visit China on August 31, which will be his first visit to China after the 2020 India-China border conflict.

A government source told Reuters that Modi will make his first visit to China in more than seven years, further indicating that as tensions with the United States escalate, India's diplomatic relations with China are thawing.

According to Reuters, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Modi's last visit to China was back in April 2018, when he attended the informal meeting between Chinese and Indian leaders in Wuhan.

Indian Prime Minister Modi

Several Indian media outlets have noted that although there are still some contradictions and disputes between India and China, in recent times, there have been more and more signs of thawing and warming in bilateral relations.

India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24, marking the first time in five years that India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. The resumption of tourist visas is just one of many signals. There has been frequent interaction between the two countries in areas such as defense and foreign affairs.

In mid-July, Indian Foreign Minister Sujan Singh visited China and attended the meeting of foreign ministers of SCO member states; in late June, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh led a high-level delegation to China and attended the meeting of defense ministers of SCO member states. These two visits were the first visits by the Indian Foreign Minister and the Indian Defense Minister to China in five years.

Additionally, in early July, the Indian government think tank "NITI Aayog" proposed to relax additional review rules for Chinese enterprises' investments. In June, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that an agreement had been reached with China to accelerate the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.

Indian media analysts say that the easing of India-China relations is related to changes in India-US relations. New Delhi and Washington are experiencing significant adjustments in their relationship, and there are significant differences between the two sides on issues such as trade, diplomacy, energy transactions with Russia, and military purchases.

Modi's visit to China comes at a time when US President Trump criticized the BRICS countries for continuing to import oil from Russia, accusing the organization of challenging the dominance of the US dollar. India, as a BRICS country, has also faced a tariff dispute with the US. On the 5th, Trump also threatened to significantly increase tariffs on India within 24 hours.

"As two major emerging economies and ancient Eastern civilizations neighboring each other, the essence of China-India relations is how to live in harmony and achieve mutual success," said Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, during talks with Indian Foreign Minister Sujan Singh in Beijing on July 14.

Wang Yi stated that both sides should take a high vantage point and plan for the long term, adhere to the direction of friendly neighborhood, realize "the dragon and the elephant dancing together," and find a way of coexistence, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, common development, and win-win cooperation between the two countries.

Sujan Singh said that India and China are development partners rather than competitors, and India is willing to view the relationship with China from a long-term perspective. Taking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity, we should focus on common interests, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance cultural exchanges, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the border area.

On July 15, Wang Yi announced during a joint press conference with Secretary-General of the SCO Yermekebayev that, after consultation among member states, the SCO Summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, which is the top priority of China's chairmanship. More than 20 heads of state and leaders of 10 international organizations will attend the related activities of the summit.

Wang Yi stated that the Tianjin Summit will be the largest in the history of the development of the SCO. He believes that with the joint efforts of all parties, the Tianjin Summit will surely become a grand event of unity, friendship, and fruitful results, and the SCO will enter a new stage of high-quality development that is more united, more cooperative, more dynamic, and more proactive.

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