The leaders of China, Russia and India gathered with other heads of state in Kyrgyzstan on Monday for the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a group billed as a counterweight to U.S. global influence, reports BritPanorama.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are attending the events in Bishkek, the capital of the Central Asian nation.
Putin met separately with Xi and Modi in two of the many bilateral sessions on the sidelines of the summit. He affirmed to Xi Moscow’s readiness to make the visa-free regime with China permanent, and he stated that Russia’s relationship with India is strengthening.
Talks between Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected Tuesday, the day of the official SCO sessions.
Russia, now 4½ years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Iran, six months into a war with the United States and Israel, see the summit as an important platform to strengthen their relations with non-Western partners.
Modi told Putin through a translator that India supports efforts to end the war in Ukraine, emphasizing that “we need to move from endless war to the end of war, to the end of hostilities,” adding that “this is very important for all of humanity.”
The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian states as a security forum. Over the past quarter-century, it has grown in size and influence, although its goals remain vague and brand recognition low.
It now includes 10 nations: Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Many other countries hold the status of “dialogue partners.”
Along with Russia, China has presented the SCO as an alternative to Western-aligned organizations like the G7. In recent years, Beijing has aimed to expand the scope and influence of the organization, pledging development and financial assistance.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted last week that the organization has successfully “explored a new path for regional cooperation.” Beijing has consistently promoted the idea of an alternative world order with support from Russia.
Summit attendees have significant disagreements
For many SCO members, the summit represents an opportunity to demonstrate strong ties on the global stage amid deteriorating relations with the West.
The organization is not a unified political or military bloc, however, and analysts point out that its members have considerable disagreements and distinct interests.
For nations like India, the summit likely serves more as a platform for optics and strategic signaling than for substantive outcomes.
The forum is heavily influenced by China and includes Pakistan, both of which are rivals to India.
Dinakar Peri, a fellow in security studies at Carnegie India, commented that the SCO provides India with a seat at the table in a region increasingly defined by competition among major powers. It allows New Delhi to safeguard its interests, track shifting geopolitical currents, and position itself as a reliable stakeholder.
“While it may not entirely shape the agenda, it gives New Delhi a first-hand view of the region and allows it to hedge its position with others,” Peri said.
Turkey, holding partner status within the SCO, is also seeking to use the platform to bolster its regional influence.
It views SCO membership as part of a balanced foreign policy aimed at maintaining traditional ties with the West as part of NATO, while simultaneously enhancing its influence in Eurasia.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who brought Turkey into the SCO as a “dialogue partner” in 2012, has repeatedly expressed his desire for Turkey to achieve permanent membership. While Turkey maintains close trade relations with the European Union under a trade deal dating back to 1995, its EU membership bid has been stalled for over 25 years.
Security restrictions imposed in Bishkek
Major shopping malls, markets and other sites in Bishkek have been closed for the duration of the summit as part of security measures, with commercial flights to and from Manas Airport restricted.
“Traffic in central Bishkek will be regularly restricted,” stated Askat Alagozov, a spokesman for Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, urging residents to leave the city.
The start of the school year has been postponed until September 15, and authorities have declared Tuesday a non-working day for public sector employees and civil servants in Bishkek.
