Preparations for this year’s SCO summit have started and so, leaders of 10 nations all around the world are in the news. While it was expected to see some resentment between the leaders of China and India, the tables have turned and everything seems to go smoothly. With removal of the ban on certain sites and further ‘strengthening’ of ties, India and China seem to be at a better place amidst the tariff row caused by Trump.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tianjin this weekend for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit after his visit to Japan. The event, running from August 31 to September 1, is set to be organised by China as a show of strength and unity among Global South countries, particularly in the face of growing tensions with the United States.
The summit comes at a critical moment for all three leaders. For Xi Jinping, it’s a chance to highlight China’s leadership among emerging economies and rally support from countries increasingly frustrated with U.S. foreign policy. For Modi, it is portrayed as a balancing act between strengthening regional ties and pushing back against pressure from the White House. For Putin, it’s another opportunity to show power over .
Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks his first visit to China after numerous bans, hampered ties and what not in more than seven years. His meeting with Xi on Sunday is expected to focus on stabilizing India-China relations after the deadly 2020 border clashes in Ladakh. Modi is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, as the two reaffirm their long-standing strategic ties. The meeting follows USA’s imposition of extreme tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% ‘penalty’ related to India’s ongoing imports of Russian oil. While the U.S. has sought to isolate Russia diplomatically since the Ukraine invasion, and it has pressured partners like India to reduce economic ties with Moscow, India has resisted, maintaining strong energy and defense links.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has grown significantly since its founding in 2001. Once a regional bloc of six nations focused to counter terrorism, now includes 10 members, including India, China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan and numerous dialogue and observer states, Belarus being the recent inclusion in the family.
But while the summit brings together a powerful mix of leaders, critics argue the SCO remains limited in terms of concrete outcomes. An organisation, which once fought to counter terrorism, is now facing disruptions because of non-cooperation from certain nations.
Ultimately, this year’s summit is less about binding agreements and more about signaling a shift in global alignments. In a departure statement ahead of his trip, Modi emphasized India’s commitment to regional cooperation through the SCO, citing the country’s initiatives in innovation, healthcare and holistic development during its recent presidency of the group. Modi is expected to return to India after the summit concludes, while Putin will remain in China for further engagements.
