Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM Modi in Tianjin Ahead of SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic reception from the Indian community in Tianjin, China, on Saturday evening as he arrived for the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Members of the diaspora greeted him with cultural performances and chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, underscoring their excitement at his visit.

Sharing images of the welcome on social media, PM Modi described it as “very special,” noting the deep connection between India’s diaspora and their homeland.

Modi travelled to Tianjin from Tokyo after concluding an official visit to Japan earlier in the day. In a post after landing, he stated, “Looking forward to engaging in in-depth discussions during the SCO Summit and meeting with leaders from various countries.”

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit highlights New Delhi’s constructive and proactive role within the SCO since becoming a member in 2017. Modi is scheduled to hold key bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit, including talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

The last meeting between Modi and Xi took place during the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where the two nations reached an agreement to ease long-standing border tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

In his departure statement, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional cooperation through the SCO. “India remains dedicated to collaborating with member states to address shared challenges, deepen economic partnerships, and strengthen cultural exchanges,” he said.

The SCO, founded in 2001, is a major intergovernmental organisation comprising China, Russia, India, and several Central and South Asian countries, with a focus on regional security, economic development, and political dialogue.