Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are gearing up for a major online summit hosted by India, with the main aim of increasing the influence of the Eurasian group.
The presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin weighed heavily on the virtual gathering, marking Putin’s first appearance at an international event since ending a coup by the Wagner Group in late June.
The summit on Tuesday will discuss key issues such as Iran’s membership and the path to membership for Belarus, while regional security, terrorism, climate change and digital inclusion will also be discussed.
Amid a fragile geopolitical landscape, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic acumen has been put to the test. Having recently completed an official visit to the United States, where he was hailed as one of their closest partners, Modi now chairs both the SCO and the G20. The timing of the SCO summit is important given the strained relations between Western countries and Russia-China partnership due to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and Beijing’s aggressive presence in global affairs.
During recent talks between Putin and Modi, the Indian prime minister reiterated his stance on resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Last year, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Modi delivered a powerful message to Putin, stressing that war has no place in the modern age.
“This summit is of great importance as it brings together leaders from different countries to discuss issues that shape our collective future. We believe in constructive dialogue and cooperation,” the Prime Minister said. And this platform provides an excellent opportunity to foster understanding and address important challenges,” the Prime Minister said. Modi in anticipation of virtual summit.
The SCO Virtual Summit also marks a significant moment as it reunites Modi and Xi Jinping on the virtual stage since their last meeting at the G20 summit in Indonesia. The meeting comes after a period of frosty relations between the two Asian giants, mainly due to the ongoing standoff along their Himalayan border. Additionally, the summit provides an opportunity for Modi to interact with his Pakistani counterpart Shahbaz Sharif ten months after attending the previous Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan.
As India hands over the SCO chairmanship to Kazakhstan at this summit, the discussions are expected to revolve around key issues like Afghanistan, terrorism, regional security, climate change, and digital inclusion. This gathering of influential leaders will likely shape the direction of Eurasian politics and security dynamics for the foreseeable future, as the SCO continues its struggle to counter Western influence in the region.
