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 (SCO), which is viewed as a counterweight to U.S. global influence. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are attending the events in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Putin met separately with Xi and Modi in 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 stated that Russia's relationship with India is strengthening. Talks between Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected on Tuesday, coinciding with the official SCO sessions.
Russia, currently engaged in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Iran, involved in a conflict with the United States and Israel, view the summit as a platform to strengthen relations with non-Western partners. Modi expressed India's support for efforts to end the war in Ukraine, stating, "we need to move from endless war to the end of war, to the end of hostilities," emphasizing its importance for humanity.
The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states as a security forum. Over the past 25 years, it has expanded to include 10 nations: Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with many other countries holding the status of "dialogue partners."
China has positioned the SCO as an alternative to Western-aligned organizations like the G7 and aims to expand its influence within the organization, pledging development and financial assistance. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the organization has successfully "explored a new path for regional cooperation," promoting an alternative world order with Russia's backing.
For many SCO members, the summit serves as an opportunity to demonstrate strong ties on the global stage despite deteriorating relations with the West. However, the organization is not a unified political or military bloc, and analysts note significant disagreements among its members.
Experts suggest that for countries like India, the summit is likely more about optics and strategic signaling than substantive outcomes. The forum is heavily influenced by China and includes Pakistan, a rival of India. Dinakar Peri, a fellow in security studies at Carnegie India, noted that the SCO provides India a platform to protect its interests and track geopolitical shifts.
Turkey, which holds partner status within the SCO, seeks to use the platform to enhance its regional influence while maintaining ties with the West as part of NATO. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed interest in Turkey becoming a permanent member of the SCO.
In preparation for the summit, major shopping malls, markets, and other sites in Bishkek were closed for security reasons, and commercial flights to and from Manas Airport were restricted. Traffic in central Bishkek was regularly restricted, and the start of the school year was postponed until September 15, with authorities declaring Tuesday a non-working day for public sector employees in Bishkek.