China Hosts Pivotal SCO Summit Amid Changing Global Alliances;

In July 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping quoted an old proverb: “No mountain or ocean can distance people who have shared aspirations.” At the time, this seemed unrealistic—India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had skipped the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, seen as a snub to a bloc led by Beijing and Moscow. But a year later, the geopolitical landscape has changed significantly. As China hosts the 2025 SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, participation is stronger than ever. Modi is attending for the first time since 2018, marking a thaw in India-China relations. This shift is driven in part by external factors—particularly U.S. President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Under economic pressure, India is now looking to strengthen ties within Eurasia, including with China. Analysts see this year’s summit as a chance for China to present itself as a unifying force in the Global South, offering an alternative to Western-led alliances. China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin called it “one of the most important diplomatic events of the year.” More than 20 leaders and heads of 10 international organisations are expected to attend. Key participants include the presidents of China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Others attending include leaders from Türkiye, Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Maldives, along with the UN and ASEAN chiefs. What Is the SCO? The SCO began in 1996 as the “Shanghai Five” to resolve border issues after the Cold War. It became the SCO in 2001 with Uzbekistan’s inclusion. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024. The group now includes 14 dialogue partners, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. SCO member states today make up 43% of the world’s population and nearly 23% of the global economy. Still Lacking Clear Identity Despite its size and economic power, experts say the SCO still lacks a clear identity. Alejandro Reyes, professor at the University of Hong Kong, says the rise of alternative blocs like BRICS reflects the Global South’s need for new platforms. But SCO’s expanding agenda—security, trade, and development—makes it difficult to define its unique role. Manoj Kewalramani of the Takshashila Institution adds that the SCO is trying to promote “indivisible security”—the idea that one nation’s security shouldn't harm another’s. This contrasts sharply with NATO’s bloc-based model. He argues that the SCO’s vision reflects a demand for recognition of regional spheres of influence and a call for the U.S. to respect other powers’ interests. As the 2025 summit begins in Tianjin, the SCO may still be figuring out its identity, but it is increasingly important in shaping a multipolar world order.

NEWS