For the first time in seven years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to China on Sunday. Now that his relationship with Donald Trump has broken down, he hopes for a warm welcome at a top with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. The Ukraine War is probably not on the program.
“We missed you very much, Premier Modi,” Trump said early this year during a visit from the Indian leader at the White House. The two then made no secret of their mutual admiration. Trump even gave Modi a special book with photos of previous meetings as a gift.
Half a year later it is different. Since Wednesday, import duties of 50 percent apply to many goods from India that enter the United States. No other country is hit so hard by Trump’s trade policy. Those rates were the climax of a relationship that deteriorated in a short time. India also blames Trump for ‘wrongly’ the responsible for the peace in Kashmir after the conflict with Pakistan in May this year.
The top meeting in Tianjin, just south of the Chinese capital Beijing, is therefore very located for India. At the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the leaders of ten Asian countries meet on Sunday and Monday. Together they represent more than 40 percent of the world’s population. Modi meets, among others, the Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin.
“This is a very important top. And the fact that modes are now participating makes it all the more special,” says Rajeev Lachmipersad to NU.nl. He is an India analyst at the Haagsch Institute Geopolitieknu. In recent years, the Indian leader has remained at the top, and he had his reasons for that. China and India have been fighting a border conflict for years. India is also difficult to accept that China supports archistan militarily.
XI sees more cooperation
“But now a situation has arisen in which the US puts countries under pressure in the region and that are forced to get together,” says Lachmipersad. According to him, that does not mean that India, China and Russia now suddenly trust each other. “But they feel that they have to work more together.”
Chinese President Xi likes to see it all happen, thinks Frans-Paul van der Putten. He is researching China for the Clingendael Institute. “It is an important diplomatic objective from China not to get isolated internationally,” he says. “The US is trying to separate countries from China.” Van der Putten calls it “important” for China that the shift of India towards the US has now come to a halt.
What is the SCO and what is the difference with the BRICS?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in Shanghai in 2001. “The primary goal of the organization was to prevent Russia and China from fighting for power,” says Van der Putten. “The organization had to strengthen mutual cooperation.”
Later other countries were added. India has been a member since 2017. The interests of the members vary widely. Some count as opposites of the West, such as Russia and Iran. Other, including India, do not want to be in just one camp.
Part of the SCO members is also a member of another non-Western club: the BRICS. “Where the SCO focuses more on Asia, the BRICS is global,” says the China expert. “The latter also applies more as an alternative to Western organizations, but with emerging countries.”
Ukraine runs through the top as a common thread
Although according to the experts, the country will hardly be discussed, Ukraine runs like a common thread through the meeting in Tianjin. It is an important reason why it was missing between modes and Trump. The latter reproaches India for buying a lot of oil from Russia and thus maintaining the war machine. Trumps trade advisor Peter Navarro even called the war ” Modi’s War ” – the war of Premier Modi on Thursday.
India does not accept that lecture. “Indian commentators, from left to right, state that Trump is trying to shift his own failure on India,” says Lachmipersad. During his campaign on the Ukraine War, Trump announced that he would solve in 24 hours, but did not succeed. Modi also blames the US and Europe, because some Western countries still import oil and gas from Russia. “
The prominent place of Putin at the top in China is also a result of the Ukraine War. The Russian president emphatically seeks rapprochement with China and India, as an alternative to Western partners who broke ties after the invasion in 2022.
India wants to be everyone’s friend
According to Lachmipersad, Modi goes home satisfied if he can put India on the map as “independent geopolitical partner”. “He wants to show that the country does not just give in to threats with sanctions and rates.” According to the expert, the leader also wants to show that he does not think in concepts of alliances. The day before the top, Modi went to Japan. “No coincidence,” says Lachmipersad. The prime minister wants to show that he also remains friends with Prwesterse countries.
Moreover, it is striking that modes will not stay in Beijing until Wednesday when a large military parade takes place there. Putin has announced that he would stay. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also comes to Beijing especially for it. The president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, are also present.
For the first time in Seven Years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Traveling to China on Sunday. Now that his relationship with Donald Trump has broken down, he hopes for a warm welcome at a summit with xi jinping and vladimir putin. The Ukraine War is probable not on the agenda.
“We have missed you very much, prime minister Modi,” Trump Said Earlier This Year Duration a Visit by the Indian Leader to the White House. The Two Made No Secret of Their Mutual Admiration. Trump equally cool modi a special book with photos of previous meetings.
Half a year later, things are different. Since Wednesday, import duties or 50 percent apply to many goods from India That Enter the United States. No Other Country is so hard hit by Trump’s trade policy. Those Tariffs were the climax of a relationship that Deteriorated in a short time. India also Blames Trump for ‘Wrongully’ Claiming Responsibility for Peace in Kashmir After the Conflict with Pakistan in May this year.
The Summit in Tianjin, Just South of the Chinese Capital Beijing, is Therefore Very Opportune for India. At the Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), The Leaders of Ten Asian Countries Will Meet on Sunday and Monday. Together They represent more than 40 percent of the world’s population. Modi Will Meet, Among Others, Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin.
“This is a very Important Summit. And the Fact That Modi is Now Participating Makes It All The More Special,” Rajeev Lachmipersad Tells Nu.nl. He is an India Analyst at the Hague Institute for Geopoliticnu. In recent years, The Indian Leader Stayed Away from the Summit, and he had his reasons for that. China and India Have Been Fighting a Border Conflict for Years. India also finds it difficult to accept that China is Militarily Supporting Arch-Rival Pakistan.
XI Sees More Cooperation As A Good Thing
“But now a Situation has arisen in which the US is Putting Pressure on Countries in the Region and They are Being Forced to Come Together,” Says Luckmipersad. Accordance to him, that does not mean that India, China and Russia Suddenly Trust Each Other. “But they do feel that they need to cooperate more.”
Chinese President Xi likes to see it all happen, Accordance to French-Paul van der Putten. He Researches China for the Clingendael Institute. “It is an important diplomatic objective or china not to Become international isolated,” he says. “The US is trying to separate country from China.” Van der Putten Calls IT “Important” for China That India’s Shift Towards The Us in Recent Years Has Now come to a standstill.
What is the sco and what is the differentence with the brics?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in Shanghai in 2001. “The Primary Goal of the Organization was to prevent Russia and China from Fighting for Power,” Says van der Putten. “The Organization had to strengthen Mutual Cooperation.”
Later Other Countries Joined. India Has Been a Member Since 2017. The Interests of the Members Vary Widely. Some Are Considered Counterpoles Of The West, Such As Russia and Iran. Others, Including India, Do Not Want To Be in Just One Camp.
Part of the SCO Members are also Members of Another Non-Western Club: The Brics. “Where the SCO Focuses More on Asia, The Brics is Global,” Says the China Expert. “The latter is also more of an alternative to western organizations, but with emerging country.”
Ukraine Runs Like A Common Thread Through The Summit
Althegh the Country Will Barely Be Mentioned Accordance to the Experts, Ukraine Runs Like A Common Thread Through The Meeting in Tianjin. It is an important reason why things used to be the mean modes and trump. The Letter Batteries India of Buying a Lot Of Oil From Russia And Thus Keeping the War Machine Running. Trump’s Trade advisor Peter Navarro Even Called the War ” Modi’s War ” – Prime Minister Modi’s War on Thursday.
India does not accept that reading. “Indian Commentators, from Left to Right, State That Trump is Tryping to Shift His Own Failure to India,” Says Lachmipersad. Trump announced duration his campaign that would resolve the ukraine war in 24 hours, but failed to do so. Modi also batteries the US and Europe of Hypocrisy, because some western country still import oil and gas from russia. “
Putin’s prominent place at the summit in China is also a result of the ukraine war. The Russian President is Explicitly Seeking Rapprochement with China and India, as an alternative to Western Partners who Severed Ties After The Invasion in 2022.
India Wants To Be Everyone’s Friend
Accordance to Luckmipersad, Modi Will go home satisfied if he can put India on the map as an “independent geopolitic partner”. “Hey to show that the country does not simply give in to threats of sanctions and tariffs.” Accordance to the expert, The Leader also Wants To Show That Does Not Think in Concepts of Alliances. Modi gets used to Japan the Day Before the Summit. “No Coincidence,” Says Lachmipersad. The Prime Minister Wants To Show That He Remains Friends with Pro-Western Countries As Well.
It is also striking that modi will not stay in Beijing Until Wednesday, When a Large Military Parade Will Take Place There. Putin has announced that he will stay. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is also coming to Beijing Especiate for this. The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, are also present.