Bishkek: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to arrive in Kyrgyzstan for a two-day summit in the capital, Bishkek. The summit, attended by leaders from Iran, India, and other member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Group (SCO), aims to project a united front amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and increasing tensions with Western nations.
According to France24.com, the SCO summit marks the 25th anniversary of the organization, which consists of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries, and Belarus, an ally of Moscow. The gathering is seen as an effort to counter Western influence, with Putin and Xi having previously used such occasions to advocate for a multipolar world.
The summit occurs amidst significant geopolitical tensions, including the prolonged conflict in Ukraine and the recent escalation of hostilities between the United States and Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are expected to join the plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov. Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov has indicated that Putin will hold separate bilateral discussions with Pezeshkian and Xi, among other leaders.
During the Ukraine war, Russia and Iran, both heavily sanctioned, have strengthened their military and economic cooperation. The United States has cautioned Russia and China against supplying arms to Iran. The meeting between Putin and Pezeshkian follows a recent visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, with speculations suggesting discussions on Ukraine and Iran were on the agenda.
The SCO, originally focusing on economic cooperation, has gained momentum under the leadership of Moscow and Beijing. It now includes 15 dialogue partners, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and has two observer countries: Afghanistan and Mongolia. Despite its founding declaration stating that it is "not an alliance directed against other states," the SCO has seen its leaders make anti-Western statements during past summits.
The current summit takes place against the backdrop of real and trade wars, with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and trade disputes involving US tariffs on Chinese and Indian products. The US recently imposed secondary sanctions on Iran's trading partners in several sectors, including gold and technology, aiming to weaken the Iranian regime. In response, China has vowed to "firmly defend" its interests as a major importer of Iranian oil.
Iran, under sanctions since the 1979 revolution, has consistently resisted economic pressure. Although Pezeshkian has acknowledged the economic challenges faced by Iran, the country hopes its SCO membership will help circumvent Western sanctions. However, experts like Mohammad Hassan Najmi caution that the tangible benefits of the alliance remain uncertain, as historical precedents suggest limited assistance during crises.
While the SCO claims to represent 40 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of global GDP, internal diversity and disagreements persist among its members. Russia and China vie for influence in Central Asia, a region crucial for trade between Europe and Asia, and Beijing's relations with India and Pakistan have occasionally been strained.