Putin and Modi head to China: Reuters explains Xi Jinping’s plan
Photo: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit next week in Tianjin, with more than 20 global leaders invited, Reuters reports.
The event will take place from August 31 to September 1 and will be the largest since the organization’s founding in 2001.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the forum is intended to showcase the unity of Global South countries amid growing tensions with Washington.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has confirmed his participation in the summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend, marking his first visit to China in over seven years.
Last week, the Russian embassy in New Delhi stated that Moscow hopes to hold trilateral talks with China and India in the near future.
SCO: from security to economics
Initially, the SCO brought together six Eurasian countries and focused on security issues and counter-terrorism.
The bloc now has 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries. Its scope has gradually expanded to include economic and military cooperation.
Analysts note that the SCO’s actual effectiveness remains limited, with Beijing’s primary gain being the optics of Global South solidarity against the US.
“What is the precise vision that the SCO represents, and its practical implementation are rather fuzzy. It is a platform that has increasing convening power, which helps in narrative projection,” said Manoj Kewalramani, Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution thinktank in Bangalore.
Tensions among members
However, conflicts persist within the bloc. India and Pakistan remain in confrontation: in June, SCO defense ministers failed to issue a joint statement over a dispute regarding a Kashmir terrorist attack.
New Delhi also refused to support a condemnation of Israel over strikes on Iran.
Meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping
In July, The Times reported that Xi Jinping planned to invite US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to a parade marking the end of World War II in September.
The Kremlin quickly denied these reports, with Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow was unaware of any preparations for a trilateral meeting.
Earlier, in May, Xi Jinping and Putin met in Moscow during the so-called Victory Day celebrations, with the Chinese leader’s visit lasting several days.
