New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025, to participate in the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The invitation to this important summit was extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscoring India’s key role in this influential regional grouping, said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The SCO, originally founded to address the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, remains a vital platform for fostering regional security and cooperation across Eurasia. The organisation consists of 10 member countries: India, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India has been a pivotal member since joining in 2017 and held the Chairmanship of the Council of Heads of State during 2022-23.

The summit program includes a welcome banquet on the evening of August 31 and the main summit sessions on September 1. Prime Minister Modi is expected to contribute actively to discussions on enhancing regional cooperation, economic integration, and collective action to counter security threats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is also set to attend the summit, marking a rare gathering of key global leaders amidst a geopolitically tense environment. Xi Jinping’s hosting of Modi and Putin is widely regarded as a grand demonstration of Global South solidarity during a period marked by tariff pressures and geopolitical challenges posed by the Trump administration in the United States.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi will engage in several bilateral meetings with the leaders of the SCO member states. These discussions will likely focus on strengthening bilateral ties, advancing regional stability, promoting trade and economic partnerships, and collaborating on issues such as counter-terrorism.

With inputs from ANI