India’s participation at the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin marked pivot in its foreign policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin surprised many. This move came amid heightened tensions with the United States over trade and geopolitical alignments. The summit telld India’s desire to diversify its international relations and assert its independent diplomatic stance.
Context of India’s SCO Participation
India attended the SCO summit despite strained ties with China and Russia. Relations with China have been tense since the 2020 Galwan clash. India had imposed restrictions on Chinese investments but has recently begun easing them. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions complicated India’s ties with Moscow. India’s purchase of Russian oil and defence equipment drew US criticism. Participation in SCO signalled India’s search for alternative alliances beyond the US-led bloc.
Modi’s Diplomatic Engagements at Tianjin
Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit. These were Modi’s first direct meetings with these leaders in several years. Modi’s one-on-one limousine ride with Putin was symbolic of renewed warmth. Xi Jinping expressed hope for good neighbourly and amicable ties with India. No joint statements were issued, reflecting cautious diplomacy. The engagements aimed to reduce hostility and explore cooperation despite underlying mistrust.
India-China Relations and Border De-escalation
Since the 2020 border clashes, India and China have sought to stabilise their relationship. Both sides have taken small steps towards easing tensions. India lifted some restrictions on Chinese investments. China showed willingness for border de-escalation talks. Despite this, mutual suspicion remains high, especially after China’s alleged intelligence sharing with Pakistan. Public trust in China remains low in India, particularly after terror attacks linked to Pakistan-based groups.
India-Russia Defence and Energy Ties
India continues to rely on Russia for defence supplies, including spare parts for military hardware. Plans to acquire additional S-400 surface-to-air missile systems show ongoing military cooperation. Russian oil imports remain vital despite Western sanctions. India’s relationship with Russia blends pragmatic defence needs with geopolitical balancing. The SCO meeting reaffirmed these ties but did not signal major new agreements.
SCO’s Role and Terrorism Concerns
The SCO is the largest regional group in the Indo-Pacific, including China, Russia, and Pakistan. India hosted an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in 2023, which Pakistan attended. Terrorism, especially cross-border attacks from Pakistan, remains a major concern for India. The SCO’s final statement condemned terrorism in general and mentioned the Pahalgam attack. However, it avoided naming Pakistan, reflecting the organisation’s diplomatic sensitivities. India views the SCO as an important platform despite its limitations.
Impact on India-US Relations
India’s warmer ties with China and Russia at SCO unsettled Washington. The US under President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs and criticised India’s Russian oil imports. Modi’s engagements at SCO were seen as a challenge to US expectations of India as a strategic ally. Rebuilding trust with the US may take time, especially if US policies remain unpredictable. India’s foreign policy now visibly balances relations among major powers rather than aligning exclusively with the West.
Future Diplomatic Trajectory
India’s SCO participation signals a more multipolar approach. It seeks to maintain dialogue with China while managing border disputes. It aims to preserve defence and energy ties with Russia despite Western pressure. At the same time, India continues to engage with the US and other democracies. This nuanced diplomacy reflects India’s growing global stature and desire for strategic autonomy.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss India’s foreign policy shift towards multipolarity in the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- Examine the impact of India-China border tensions on regional security and economic relations.
- Analyse the role of defence cooperation with Russia in India’s strategic autonomy and its implications for India-US ties.
- Estimate the effectiveness of regional organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in countering terrorism and encouraging cooperation among member states.
