Many Chinese foreign affairs analysts have responded with a critical tone toward Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. While the official diplomatic environment between the two nations suggests a cautious welcome, analysts in China approach Modi’s visit with skepticism rooted in historical tensions, ongoing border disputes, and geopolitical calculations.

Chinese experts perceive Modi’s trip as part of India’s broader diplomatic balancing act—seeking to maintain ties with China while simultaneously engaging closely with the United States and other Western powers. This strategy of “hedging” is seen by many in China as India trying to gain advantages from both sides without fully committing to a stable partnership with Beijing. The recent contexts of U.S.-India trade tensions and India’s growing role in Western security alignments have intensified this view. Chinese analysts question whether Modi’s visit signals a genuine intent to deepen bilateral cooperation or if it’s merely tactical—aimed at easing pressures from the U.S. and recalibrating economic realities while retaining firm policies on long-standing issues.

The unresolved border conflicts, especially the violence in the 2020 Galwan valley clash, continue to loom large in Chinese assessments of the relationship. Analysts doubt that Modi’s visit will dramatically change China’s stance unless New Delhi makes clear, concrete commitments on border management and trade barriers. There is also wariness about India’s selective participation in regional forums and skepticism about India's willingness to loosen restrictions on Chinese investments and businesses. Such hesitations reflect a broader narrative in China that while dialogues and summits are important, lasting trust and cooperation require substantive shifts, not just symbolic meetings.

Moreover, geopolitical dynamics play a significant role in shaping China’s critical perspective. India’s engagement with multiple global powers, especially its advancing ties with Washington amid Trump-era trade frictions, is interpreted by some Chinese analysts as India using China as a counterbalance rather than a partner. The “Trump factor” in particular, with its unpredictability, has pushed New Delhi to reconsider its alliances but also complicated how Beijing reads India’s intentions.

In essence, China’s foreign affairs analysts view Modi’s visit not merely as a diplomatic occasion but through a prism of strategic suspicion and unresolved grievances. The visit is seen as an opportunity that carries potential but also demands caution—progress will depend heavily on whether India’s actions align with Beijing’s expectations of good faith and practical cooperation. Until then, the visit is likely to be seen as a delicate and tentative step rather than a breakthrough in the complex and often fraught India-China relationship.