• Modi will visit China for the first time since June 2018.
• The trip is scheduled for August 31, coinciding with the SCO summit.
• US-China trade tensions have escalated, impacting India's relations with Washington.
• Modi's visit follows a military clash between India and China in 2020.
• India's National Security Adviser is currently in Russia discussing oil purchases.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the first time in over seven years, marking a significant diplomatic thaw between the countries amid rising tensions with the United States. Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which begins on August 31 in Tianjin, according to government sources, who note that this visit comes at a critical time in India's foreign relations with both the U.S. and China, following a severe downturn in ties after a military clash in 2020 along the disputed Himalayan border, according to Reuters, Dawn, Channel News Asia, TRT Global, and SCMP.

This visit marks Modi’s first trip to China since June 2018 and comes as U.S.-India relations face significant strain due to President Donald Trump's imposition of high tariffs on Indian goods and penalties concerning oil purchases from Russia. Trump's recent tariff threats have led to a period of uncertainty in New Delhi's economic outlook and its relationship with Washington, as the U.S. administration has threatened to impose an additional 25% tariff on India’s imports, raising fears of a trade war, according to multiple reports, including Reuters, Dawn, Channel News Asia, TRT Global, and SCMP.

During this time, India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is presently in Russia to discuss the ongoing situation regarding oil purchases from Russia amid U.S. pressure, which indicates India's cautious approach in navigating its foreign relations amidst external pressures. Doval's discussions are expected to encompass India's defense cooperation with Russia and pending military contracts, such as the S-400 air defense system, further illustrating the complex web of geopolitical relations at play, as reported by Reuters, Dawn, Channel News Asia, TRT Global, and SCMP.

Analysts suggest that Modi’s upcoming visit could signify a strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy, as officials note an increase in diplomatic engagements between India and China following the tensions resulting from the border clash two years prior. There are speculations that India may seek to enhance its presence within the SCO, viewing the bloc as a potential counterbalance to its relations with the United States, as highlighted by specialists in international relations, according to Reuters, Dawn, Channel News Asia, TRT Global, and SCMP.