Putin, Xi, Modi to attend key SCO summit

BISHKEK: Leaders of Russia, China, Iran and India are set to gather in Kyrgyzstan for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit as the regional bloc marks its 25th anniversary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the leaders expected to attend the meeting in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to participate in the summit.

The meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with the Ukraine conflict continuing and Iran facing mounting pressure amid its confrontation with the United States. Trade disputes involving China and India have also added to the challenges confronting several SCO members.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov is expected to chair the main plenary session, where leaders will discuss regional and international issues as well as cooperation among member states.

The SCO includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus and four Central Asian states. The organisation has expanded considerably since its establishment and now also maintains relations with numerous dialogue partners and observer countries.

Putin and Xi have frequently used SCO meetings to promote greater cooperation among non-Western countries and advocate a more multipolar international order. However, the organisation formally describes itself as a regional cooperation platform rather than an alliance directed against other states.

The Bishkek summit is taking place against a particularly difficult international backdrop. Russia remains engaged in its war in Ukraine, while Iran faces continued economic and diplomatic pressure from Washington.

Russia and Iran have strengthened their economic and military cooperation in recent years, particularly following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Their closer relationship has drawn criticism from Washington, which has warned Russia and China against providing military support to Tehran.

Putin is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Xi and Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit. The talks could cover regional security, economic cooperation and the conflicts involving Russia and Iran.

Iran joined the SCO in 2023 and has increasingly viewed membership as a means of strengthening ties with countries outside the Western bloc. Tehran has also sought greater economic cooperation with Russia and China to reduce the impact of international sanctions.

China, meanwhile, remains a major trading partner of Iran and has opposed US pressure targeting countries conducting business with Tehran.

Despite its growing influence, the SCO faces internal differences. Russia and China compete for strategic influence in Central Asia, while relations between China, India and Pakistan remain complicated by longstanding political and security disputes.