By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, representing a step toward normalizing relations strained since the 2020 Galwan clash. This visit, his first to China since 2019, occurs amidst India navigating external pressures and the backdrop of China’s support for Pakistan. Discussions at the summit, involving ten member countries, are expected to focus on terrorism, regional security, and trade, with potential bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin.
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Indian PM Modi to meet China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin. This is definitely a moment that has the potential to reshape global dynamics. The prospect of these leaders convening, particularly the meeting between Modi and Xi, immediately sparks thoughts of strategic shifts and realignments. It’s been a while since Modi last visited China, and the fact that it’s happening now carries significant weight.
The backdrop to these meetings is complex. The actions of other global actors, particularly concerning trade and international relations, have seemingly nudged India towards reassessing its foreign policy. It’s not hard to see how decisions made elsewhere could influence India’s stance, potentially leading to strengthened ties with Russia and a more pragmatic approach to relations with China. The perception of certain nations being unreliable, a consequence of various policy decisions, may have played a significant role in this shift.
The evolving relationship between India and China is undoubtedly a focal point. There’s the potential for collaboration, but there are also existing territorial, cultural, and economic disputes that must be considered. This meeting offers a chance to address these issues, even if it’s only to manage them. While a full-fledged alliance may seem unlikely, closer cooperation could have significant implications for the global balance of power.
The role of external factors in this dynamic is something to consider. The influence of various international policies, whether intended or not, can have a profound effect on relationships between nations. The impact of tariffs, perceived support for certain nations over others, and how these factors influence public opinion, can all contribute to how these nations choose to operate on the world stage.
There’s also the mention of the BRICS grouping, and how it might be seen in this scenario. BRICS was created, to a great extent, to provide a space for nations that might feel constrained by the policies of the West. This summit may highlight the growing importance of this grouping and its role in shaping the global order. India’s stance on de-dollarization is another detail that adds another layer of nuance to this dynamic.
Of course, the gathering of these leaders also raises concerns. The potential for these nations to coordinate their actions, especially in relation to ongoing conflicts, is something that will be carefully observed. There are concerns around potential support for certain nations and how this could affect international stability.
It’s important to remember that these meetings take place within the framework of existing international bodies, like the SCO. These are routine events that have always been occurring. It is possible to say these meetings are normal but it does not lessen the potential importance of the discussions that will take place.
All of this is playing out in a world that is already experiencing numerous shifts. India is being pulled between various spheres of influence. This kind of reassessment and strategic positioning will be a key trend in the years to come. The fact that India, China, and Russia are all meeting at the same time is something that definitely merits close attention.
Ultimately, the meeting between Modi, Xi, and Putin is a complex event that will reveal a lot about the evolving relationships between these nations. The potential implications of this summit are substantial and it will be interesting to see how the outcome of these discussions will influence the future.