New Delhi, Oct. 13 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was his first trip to China in seven years. His presence alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin projected an image of multipolar solidarity seemingly crafted to unsettle US President Donald Trump's administration. But behind the optics lies a more complex strategic reality, which India must navigate with caution and clarity.

Modi's visit to China had the trappings of a diplomatic reset. In a cordial hour-long meeting, Modi and Xi agreed to resume direct flights between their countries and reopen the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, an important Hindu pilgrimage route to t...