Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to China in seven years, arrived in Tianjin on August 30 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit from August 31 to September 1 . On the summit’s sidelines, he held a 40-minute bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping aimed at resetting ties and bolstering economic cooperation . The visit follows recent thawing—including resumed flights and border trade—after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash . Modi is also slated to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss India’s strategic positioning amid global tensions. (PC: X)

A rising wave of anti-American sentiment in India has put major US brands—Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, and McDonald’s—under pressure after former President Trump imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing its trade with Russia . Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has urged citizens to boycott these brands, calling the tariffs “political bullying” . Prime Minister Modi reinforced the call by promoting “vocal for local” and self-reliance . The movement echoes grassroots “swadeshi” ideals, though Indian leaders warn such boycotts may be impractical given US brand integration. (PC: NDTV)  

During a June 17 call, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming credit for ending a military escalation between India and Pakistan. Modi firmly rejected the implication, clarifying that the ceasefire was negotiated bilaterally and that the U.S. had no involvement. This rebuke contributed significantly to the decline in personal ties between the two leaders, already strained by mounting U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and disagreements over strategic autonomy. (PC: PTI)

India and Japan finalized a significant human resources action plan on Friday targeting 500,000 people exchange over five years, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian personnel to Japan. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this bilateral workforce mobility initiative during ongoing diplomatic engagements between both nations. This agreement represents a major expansion of labor cooperation, addressing Japan's aging workforce needs while providing Indian workers with international employment opportunities. The plan encompasses various skill levels, suggesting comprehensive workforce integration across multiple sectors. This human resource partnership complements existing India-Japan strategic cooperation in technology, defense, and infrastructure development. The five-year timeline indicates sustained commitment to deepening people-to-people connections through structured employment exchanges, potentially benefiting both countries' economic growth and demographic challenges. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, two days before Modi's scheduled meeting with Putin at the SCO Summit in China. This marks their second conversation about Ukraine conflict resolution, following their August 11 discussion. Zelenskyy shared perspectives from recent Trump administration talks in Washington, emphasizing coordinated diplomatic positioning ahead of SCO meetings. Modi reiterated India's consistent stance supporting peaceful settlement and earliest peace restoration. Zelenskyy stressed immediate ceasefire necessity, noting Russia's continued civilian strikes despite diplomatic opportunities. The call aimed at coordinating positions before Modi's Putin meeting, with Ukraine expressing readiness for Russian leadership dialogue. Both leaders discussed enhancing India-Ukraine partnership cooperation and planned future bilateral visits including Joint Intergovernmental Commission meetings. (PC: South China Morning Post & AFP)

Trump's 50% tariffs on India threaten $45 billion in exports, potentially reducing GDP growth by 60-80 basis points. India faces higher duties than competitors: China (30%), Vietnam (20%), Indonesia (19%), Japan (15%), making Indian products less competitive. Economists advise against reciprocal tariffs, citing India's $140 billion IT services dependence on the US market. SBI Research estimates US GDP could drop 40-50 basis points from tariff impacts. Analysts recommend diplomatic solutions over retaliation, suggesting strengthened domestic demand and aggressive free trade agreements with UK, UAE. India's punitive 25% duties stem from Russian crude purchases. Experts propose targeted, symbolic responses on politically sensitive US products while avoiding full-scale trade war escalation. (PC: Bloomberg & The New York Times)

On August 30, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a strategic phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just ahead of his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tianjin, China . Modi reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing support for diplomatic efforts and humanitarian concerns . Zelenskyy conveyed updates on recent developments, while both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and maintaining close communication as global tensions escalate. (PC: The Times of India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, on August 30, 2025, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. This marks his first visit to China in over seven years. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome, including cultural performances by the Indian diaspora. During the summit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral and regional issues. The summit is significant for India, coming amid strained relations with the U.S. due to recent tariff impositions. (PC: X)  

Japan has announced plans to introduce its next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet train in India, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral collaboration on high-speed rail technology. The E10 series, developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), is slated for commercial operation in Japan by 2030. In alignment with this, Japan aims to invest approximately $6.7 billion in India's high-speed rail infrastructure, particularly focusing on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor. This initiative is expected to enhance the technological capabilities and efficiency of India's rail network, fostering deeper economic and technological ties between the two nations. (PC: PIB)

A secret letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, later relayed to PM Narendra Modi, has reportedly revived strained India–China relations. Sent in March 2025, during escalating U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump, Xi’s message urged reconciliation, warning against closer India–U.S. alignments that might isolate Beijing. India responded cautiously by June, paving the way for restored direct flights, easing of trade curbs, and planned high-level talks at the SCO Summit. The move signals Beijing’s strategic shift to counter U.S. economic pressure while opening a new chapter in India–China engagement after years of border tensions. (PC: NDTV)