Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit from August 31 to September 1, 2025, marking his first trip since the 2020 Galwan clash, which had strained India-China relations. This visit follows his annual summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, and is being closely monitored by international stakeholders due to its potential impact on regional security dynamics. The backdrop of Modi’s visit is characterized by ongoing tensions since the Galwan incident, which halted high-level bilateral engagements and led to increased military preparedness on both sides. Despite attempts at diplomatic engagement, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s earlier participation in SCO meetings, India has maintained a firm stance against language perceived as undermining its position on terrorism, notably rejecting a joint statement at a recent defence ministers’ meeting. Modi’s trip symbolically and strategically aims to navigate these complexities and may influence future India-China relations as well as the broader geopolitical landscape in Eurasia, highlighting the delicate balance of cooperation and mistrust that defines the SCO environment.