Modi’s China Visit Sparks Outrage: From Pahalgam Blame to SCO Summit Smiles, PM Faces ‘Flip-Flop’ Charges
New Delhi, August 29, 2025, 6:22 PM IST – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impending trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1 has unleashed a wave of controversy, with critics accusing him of a glaring policy reversal. Months after indirectly implicating China in the devastating Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir through its alleged proxy support to Pakistan, Modi’s planned bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping has fueled accusations of political opportunism and public deception. As India grapples with this apparent shift from confrontation to cooperation, the nation is left questioning: Is Modi’s diplomacy a strategic necessity or a betrayal of public trust?
The Pahalgam Tragedy and China’s Alleged Role
On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack in the picturesque Pahalgam valley of Indian-administered Kashmir claimed 26 lives, including women and children, in what authorities termed a “tourist massacre.” Gunmen ambushed a group of visitors, triggering nationwide grief and outrage. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based militant outfit, initially claimed responsibility before retracting, prompting speculation about external orchestration. Indian security forces swiftly neutralized suspects in retaliatory operations, but the attack intensified tensions with Pakistan, whom India accused of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi, in a somber address, vowed that “the perpetrators of this heinous act will face justice,” framing the attack as an assault on India’s sovereignty. However, the narrative soon extended beyond Pakistan to implicate China. Indian intelligence agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), began investigating a potential “China link,” pointing to Beijing’s deepening military and technological ties with Islamabad as a possible enabler of militant activities. Reports highlighted Pakistan’s access to advanced Chinese technology, including stealth fighter jets and drones, which some analysts suggested could have indirectly supported such operations.
China’s diplomatic stance further inflamed tensions. At SCO and UN forums, Beijing refused to explicitly condemn the Pahalgam attack, instead attempting to equate it with unrest in Pakistan’s Balochistan—a move India viewed as a pro-Pakistan tilt. India rejected a China-drafted SCO joint statement that omitted mention of Pahalgam, while BRICS, in contrast, issued a clear condemnation. Indian officials also pointed to China’s $27 billion debt leverage over Pakistan as a factor emboldening Islamabad’s aggressive posture. In Parliament, Congress leader Kapil Sibal accused China of arming Pakistan, stating, “From stealth jets to tech support, China is fueling our adversaries.” The United States’ designation of TRF as a terrorist organization aligned with India’s position, while China’s silence or tacit support for Pakistan deepened suspicions of its complicity.
This rhetoric echoed Modi’s stance following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers died in a brutal confrontation with Chinese troops. At the time, Modi declared, “India’s integrity is non-negotiable,” rallying national sentiment against Beijing amid calls for boycotts of Chinese goods and apps.
The Tianjin Turnaround: A Diplomatic Pivot
Now, just months after these accusations, Modi’s decision to attend the SCO Summit and hold bilateral talks with Xi marks a stark departure. The visit, his first to China since 2018, follows a series of conciliatory steps: resumed direct flights, shared trans-border river data, and partial disengagements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since March 2025. Bilateral trade, despite earlier boycott calls, surged to $136 billion in 2024, underscoring India’s economic interdependence with China. A confidential letter from Xi to President Droupadi Murmu in March advocated for improved ties, setting the stage for Modi’s trip.
Indian officials frame the visit as “constructive engagement” to foster peace and development. Modi is expected to discuss trade, border stability, and regional security alongside leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif. The SCO Summit, attended by over 20 leaders, will focus on de-dollarization, counter-terrorism, and a multipolar global order—areas where India, China, and Russia could align amid strained ties with the West. With US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs hitting Indian exports, Modi’s outreach to China is seen as a hedge against economic pressures. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized, “India’s strategic autonomy requires engaging all partners, even those with differences.”
Public Fury and Political Backlash
The optics of Modi engaging with Xi so soon after accusing China of enabling Pakistan’s aggression have sparked widespread outrage. Opposition leaders have seized on the perceived inconsistency. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi posted on X, “From blaming China for Pahalgam’s terror to summit handshakes—is Modi fooling Indians or himself?” A Centre for Policy Research poll revealed that 62% of Indians view Modi’s China policy as inconsistent, citing the contrast between his hardline rhetoric post-Pahalgam and Galwan and his current overtures. Nationalist groups, including those tied to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have organized protests in Delhi, with banners proclaiming, “Galwan Martyrs Forgotten, Pahalgam Ignored.”
For families of the Pahalgam victims and Galwan soldiers, the visit feels like a personal betrayal. “My son died fighting Chinese troops in Galwan,” said Meena Devi, a mother from Uttar Pradesh, at a Delhi vigil. “How can the PM sit with Xi after pointing fingers at China for our pain?” Social media platforms like X are ablaze with hashtags like #ModiBetraysIndia, reflecting public anger over perceived duplicity.
Strategic Necessity or Political Misstep?
Strategic analysts argue that Modi’s approach reflects the imperatives of realpolitik. “Diplomacy isn’t about emotions; it’s about interests,” said former diplomat Ashok Kantha. “Engaging China prevents escalation and secures economic benefits, especially with US tariffs looming.” India’s $136 billion trade with China and its role in SCO and BRICS underscore the need to avoid isolation. Modi’s concurrent visit to Japan to meet PM Shigeru Ishiba signals a balanced approach, strengthening ties with US allies while engaging China.
However, risks abound. China’s continued support for Pakistan, including blocking UN sanctions on TRF operatives, remains a sticking point. Any failure to secure concrete outcomes in Tianjin—such as border agreements or trade concessions—could deepen domestic backlash. Political analyst Swati Chaturvedi warned, “If this summit yields only photo-ops, it will be seen as capitulation, eroding Modi’s credibility.”
Looking Ahead: Trust on the Line
As Modi departs for Tianjin, India watches closely. Will this visit deliver progress on border disputes or economic cooperation, or will it fuel accusations of inconsistency? The SCO Summit offers a platform to strengthen India’s role in a multipolar world, but it also tests Modi’s ability to balance domestic expectations with global realities. For a nation still mourning Pahalgam and Galwan, the line between strategic pragmatism and public deception remains perilously thin.
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