IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

03 Sep 2025 : Unmistakable shift

 Editorial 1: ​Unmistakable shift

Context

India signalled a change in foreign policy stance at the SCO Summit 

 

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit marked a significant shift in India’s foreign policy. After seven years, Modi’s bilateral engagement with Xi Jinping reflected efforts to reset ties post the 2020 standoff. The summit symbolized India’s strategic balancing, amid global realignments shaped by U.S. sanctions, regional tensions, and evolving multilateral forums.

 

Shift in Foreign Policy

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit signaled a shift in India’s foreign policy outlook.
  • This was Mr. Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and his first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since the 2020 military standoff.
  • He attended the SCO Summit after a three-year gap, an organization often seen as anti-Western.

 

Symbolism and Diplomatic Engagements

  • Photographs of Mr. Modi with Mr. Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin revived memories of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral, once dormant.
  • The bilateral meeting with China focused on:
    • Endorsing the normalisation process begun in October 2024.
    • Advancing troop disengagement along the LAC.
    • Fast-tracking boundary resolution talks through Special Representatives.
    • Approving the resumption of direct flights, visa facilitation, and economic cooperation to stabilize global trade.

 

Messages from Leaders

  • Mr. Modi emphasized ties based on mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.
  • President Xi highlighted the importance of the “Dragon and the Elephant coming together”.
  • Such warmth was unthinkable a year ago and was partly shaped by:
    • U.S. tariffs and sanctions on India.
    • India’s growing mistrust of the Trump administration’s intentions.
  • This shift allowed India to temporarily set aside concerns over:
    • China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
    • Blocking India’s initiatives on UNSC reforms and NSG membership.
    • Obstruction in designating Pakistan-based terrorists.

 

Key Outcomes of the SCO Summit

  • Tianjin Declaration highlights:
    • Strong language against cross-border terrorism, condemning both the Pahalgam attack in India and attacks on Pakistani forces in Balochistan.
    • Common ground on the Gaza humanitarian crisis.
    • Condemnation of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
    • India, however, opposed references to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • Proposals discussed:
    • Xi Jinping’s idea for an SCO Development Bank.
    • Modi’s suggestion for a “Civilisational Dialogue” among SCO members.
  • Despite a “productive” visit, gaps remained:
    • Modi skipped the “SCO Plus” Summit, missing a chance for deeper engagement with leaders from the neighbourhood and Global South.

 

Conclusion

The SCO Summit 2025 showcased India’s attempt to combine strategic pragmatism with diplomatic outreach. While the visit produced positive optics, including progress on LAC disengagement and counter-terrorism commitments, concerns like China’s Pakistan policy and BRI opposition remained. Modi’s absence at the SCO Plus Summit signaled missed opportunities, but the visit still underlined India’s pursuit of a balanced role in global and regional geopolitics.