SCO Summit in China: Modi, Putin Among Key Leaders Attending | Who’s on the Guest List

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a four-day visit to Japan and China from August 29 to September 1, with a packed agenda of bilateral and multilateral engagements.

In Tokyo (Aug 29–30), Modi will attend the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This will mark Modi’s eighth visit to Japan and his first summit meeting with Ishiba since he assumed office.

From Japan, the Prime Minister will travel to Tianjin, China (Aug 31–Sept 1) to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Modi and Xi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on August 31.

The SCO currently includes India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. According to Chinese officials, over 20 foreign leaders and representatives of 10 international organisations will attend the summit.

Key Leaders Expected at the SCO Summit:

• PM Narendra Modi (India)

• President Vladimir Putin (Russia)

• President Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran)

• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey)

• Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Myanmar)

• PM K P Sharma Oli (Nepal)

• President Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia)

• PM Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia)

• PM Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan)

• President Mohamed Muizzu (Maldives)

On the sidelines, Modi is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Putin and several Central Asian leaders.

The summit comes amid heightened global trade tensions after US President Donald Trump announced steep tariff hikes on imports from multiple countries, including India and China, citing unfair practices and India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. Recent moves have doubled duties on some Indian exports to 50%, raising concerns about worsening economic friction.