Beijing — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China has taken on added urgency after Washington’s sweeping tariffs on Indian exports left Delhi scrambling for new partners. Since last week, duties on goods such as diamonds and prawns have soared to 50 percent, with President Donald Trump declaring the penalties were punishment for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
The tariffs have alarmed Indian exporters and risk stalling the country’s ambition to sustain growth above six percent. For Modi, the pressure comes at a time when India is vying for recognition as the world’s third-largest economy within a few years.
China’s president Xi Jinping faces his own struggles. His government is battling a slowdown made worse by US restrictions on Chinese goods, and Beijing is searching for fresh markets to offset shrinking demand in the West.
The two leaders, once locked in bitter disputes over the Himalayan border and the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, now appear to be edging toward cautious cooperation. Direct flights between the countries are being restored, visa curbs could ease, and limited economic agreements are expected during Modi’s stay.
Still, longstanding issues remain unresolved. China’s hydroelectric projects on rivers shared with India, its support for Pakistan, and Delhi’s ban on more than 200 Chinese apps, including TikTok, illustrate the enduring mistrust. Analysts note that while the visit may repair some animosity, a single meeting will not erase decades of rivalry.
Yet the symbolism matters. Modi’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan, reflects a shift away from reliance on Washington. For Beijing, the optics of Global South solidarity provide a timely counter to Trump’s tariff offensive.
According to the BBC, Modi’s China trip signals that Delhi is willing to test a difficult partnership with Beijing—and to remind Washington that India has options beyond the Western orbit.
