Sun Aug 31 08:13:52 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Modi Signals Shift Away from US, Courts Closer Ties with China After Tariff Hikes**
**Tianjin, China** – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signaled a potential shift in his country’s strategic alignment, expressing a commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China just days after the United States imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods. Speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Modi emphasized a desire for relations based on “mutual respect, trust and sensitivities.”
The move comes after the US slapped a 50% tariff on Indian goods, reportedly in response to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Analysts suggest this action may have accelerated India’s ongoing efforts to improve relations with Beijing, previously strained by border disputes and strategic rivalry.
“Modi has made the calculation that he should be moving closer to Beijing,” reported Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu from Tianjin, suggesting the era of the US leveraging India as a counterweight to China may be waning.
During their meeting, Modi highlighted the establishment of “peace and stability” on the disputed Himalayan border and noted the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, suspended since 2020. Xi Jinping reciprocated, pledging to resolve border differences and bolster cooperation, emphasizing that the border issue should not define the overall China-India relationship. He also stressed the importance of economic development as a shared priority, urging both nations to view each other as partners, not rivals.
This warming of relations has been preceded by several positive developments, including China’s permission for Indian pilgrims to visit Buddhist sites in Tibet, the lifting of reciprocal tourist visa restrictions, and China’s agreement to lift export curbs on key materials like rare earths and fertilizers.
China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has publicly criticized Washington’s tariffs and pledged Beijing’s “firm stand” with New Delhi.
The SCO summit, attended by Modi, Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other leaders, underscores the growing influence of the bloc, often touted by China and Russia as an alternative to Western-led alliances like NATO. With a combined population of over three billion people, control over a significant portion of the world’s energy resources, and a substantial share of global GDP, the SCO represents a powerful force in the evolving world order.
First Piper 