Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic reception from the Indian community upon his arrival in Tianjin, China, on Saturday evening, local time, ahead of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit starting Sunday.
The Prime Minister was welcomed with vibrant cultural performances and energetic chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai,’ reflecting the community’s excitement and warmth.
Sharing the glimpses on his social media platform X, PM Modi said, “China’s Indian community accorded a very special welcome in Tianjin.”
PM Modi came to Tianjin from completing his visit to Japan earlier in the day, having arrived at Binhai International Airport.
Arrived in Tianjin, China. Appearing forward to having serious discussions during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and meeting leaders from different countries," PM Modi tweeted on X upon his arrival.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed out that the visit reflects India's positive and constructive role in the SCO.
On the margins of the Summit, Prime Minister Modi will have several bilaterals with world leaders participating in the event. He will be meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
PM Modi and Xi Jinping had last met at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. The breakthrough in bilateral negotiations came after India and China agreed to patrol the almost 3,500-km Line of Actual Control, bringing an end to a four-year-long border standoff.
India became an SCO member in 2017 and was the Council of Heads of State of SCO president for 2022-23.
“India is an active and constructive member of SCO. During our Presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges. India remains committed to working with the SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen regional cooperation. I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the Summit,” said PM Modi in his departure statement.
“I am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities, and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development” he added.
The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. It has member states such as China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
The organisation also consists of two observer states—Afghanistan and Mongolia—and 14 dialogue partners, including Turkey, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, and Nepal. Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, and the United Arab Emirates are also members.
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