Leaders Gather in Bishkek for SCO Summit Amid Global Tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are attending the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This two-day event marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, a multilateral platform aimed at fostering cooperation among its member states. The summit occurs against the backdrop of significant global tensions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the geopolitical ramifications of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The summit is underpinned by the theme 'Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity'. In attendance are leaders from various member nations, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Each participant represents a strategic interest in promoting a multipolar world that counters the unilateral policies seen from the United States.

William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, observes that the conflicts in the Middle East and Europe are straining international order and presents an opportunity for rising powers, such as China and India, to enhance their global influence. "For years, the SCO has been viewed as one of the avenues for China to promote a multipolar world order," Yang explained.

However, he cautions that any proposals for conflict resolution may remain largely rhetorical. Meanwhile, Alicia Garcia-Herrero from the French investment bank Natixis indicates that this summit could initiate tangible steps to realise the objectives set forth at last year's Tianjin meeting, which advocated for cooperative international relations.

The SCO was initially created in 1996 as a security alliance known as the 'Shanghai Five', aimed at settling border disputes following the Cold War. Over the years, it has expanded significantly, now encompassing numerous member states, including India and Pakistan, as well as key dialogue partners like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, catering to approximately 43 percent of the world's population and almost a quarter of its economic output.

Analysts note that while the SCO has broadened its mandate to include trade and security issues beyond mere regional concerns, its identity remains distinct from other international coalitions such as BRICS, formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Alejandro Reyes, an adjunct professor at the University of Hong Kong, pointed out that the SCO functions as a platform for diverse interests rather than being a unified opposition to Western influence.

Key topics expected to surface during the summit include the continued fallout from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, the situation in Ukraine, and India-China relations. Remarkably, following a period of heightened tension stemming from a border clash in 2020, Beijing and New Delhi have been working toward improving their diplomatic ties, further illustrated by Modi’s scheduled bilateral meeting with Putin.

The SCO Summit serves as a pivotal gathering for member nations to strategise on navigating the challenges posed by shifting geopolitical dynamics, positioning themselves as alternatives to established Western frameworks for security and trade.