The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit opened in Tianjin, China, on Sunday, bringing together world leaders from over 20 countries in what organizers describe as the largest gathering in the organization's 24 year history. Chinese President Xi Jinping is chairing the two day summit, which concludes Monday, with participants expected to adopt a comprehensive development strategy and strengthen regional cooperation amid evolving global dynamics.
High Profile Attendance and Diplomatic Significance
The summit has drawn an unprecedented roster of leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Additionally, UN Secretary General António Guterres and heads of 10 international organizations are participating, underscoring the summit's global significance.
The gathering takes place under the theme "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move," with China declaring 2025 as the "SCO Year of Sustainable Development". The summit represents China's fifth time hosting the annual event since the organization's founding in 2001.
Key Bilateral Meetings and Outcomes
China-India Relations Reset
One of the summit's most significant diplomatic developments occurred Sunday when President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Modi for the first time in seven years on Chinese soil. The meeting, lasting approximately 40 minutes, marked a potential thaw in relations between the world's two most populous nations following recent tensions.
"It is the right choice for both countries to be friends who have good neighborly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other's success," Xi told Modi during their bilateral discussion. The Chinese leader emphasized that both nations "shoulder the historical responsibility of improving the well being of our two peoples" and promoting solidarity among developing countries.
Modi reciprocated the positive tone, stating that India is "dedicated to advancing our relationship based on mutual trust and respect". According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders agreed that good India-China ties are crucial for the "Asian century" and a multipolar world order. Modi also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, referencing ongoing boundary disputes between the nations.
Russia-China Cooperation
Putin's arrival in Tianjin marked the beginning of a four-day visit to China, highlighting what both nations characterize as their "best in history" bilateral relations. The Russian president told China's Xinhua news agency that both countries jointly oppose "discriminatory" Western sanctions, as Moscow's economy faces potential recession due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict and international restrictions.
The summit provides Putin with an important multilateral platform as he confronts increasing Western pressure over the Ukraine war. Russian state media confirmed that Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Modi on Monday, further demonstrating the evolving diplomatic alignments within the SCO framework.
Economic and Strategic Agenda
Development Strategy and Trade Goals
The summit's primary outcomes include adoption of the "Tianjin Declaration" and approval of the "SCO Development Strategy until 2035," both of which were pre-negotiated at the foreign ministers' level. These documents aim to establish the organization's priorities for the next decade, addressing contemporary challenges including economic fragmentation, security risks, and technological shifts.
Economic cooperation remains central to the SCO's mission, with trade between China and other SCO countries reaching a record $890 billion in 2024, representing 14.4 percent of China's total foreign trade. Chinese investment stock in fellow SCO members now exceeds $84 billion, positioning the organization as both a trade bloc and technology alliance.
Sustainable Development Focus
During China's rotating presidency, over 100 events have been organized under the "Year of Sustainable Development" theme. The summit agenda centers on three key pillars: security cooperation, economic connectivity, and digital transformation. Leaders are addressing both traditional security threats such as terrorism and emerging challenges including cybersecurity and biosecurity.
The economic focus includes trade facilitation and synergy with China's Belt and Road Initiative to improve connectivity across transport corridors. A poll among SCO countries found that nearly 70 percent of respondents credit the organization with advancing their nations' sustainable development and modernization.
Geopolitical Context and Global Impact
The summit occurs against the backdrop of significant global tensions, particularly following recent U.S. trade policies under President Trump that have strained relationships with several SCO members. Trump has imposed substantial tariffs on Indian imports, citing New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, which has pushed India toward alternative multilateral platforms.
The gathering provides participating nations with an opportunity to express common grievances and explore shared interests outside the Western led international order. Beijing positions the SCO as a platform for "true multilateralism" in contrast to what it characterizes as U.S. driven unilateralism and protectionism.
Organizational Growth and Future Direction
The SCO has expanded significantly since its founding, growing from six original members to a 26 nation family comprising 10 full members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa. The organization now represents nearly half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy.
Belarus became the most recent full member in 2024, joining India and Pakistan (2017), Iran (2023), and the original founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This expansion reflects the organization's growing appeal as an alternative to Western dominated institutions.
Looking Ahead
President Xi is expected to unveil new Chinese measures to support the SCO's development while outlining pathways for the organization to contribute to global governance. The summit's outcomes will be closely watched by the United States and could influence the upcoming Quad Summit that India is set to host later this year.
The Tianjin gathering represents a significant moment for multilateral diplomacy in Asia, demonstrating how regional organizations are adapting to changing global power dynamics while addressing shared challenges in security, economic development, and technological advancement. With more than 20 documents expected to be signed, the summit aims to set both short and long-term cooperation goals for the world's largest regional organization by population.
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