SCO Summit in Bishkek: Xi, Putin, Modi Discuss Multipolar Order

Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gathered in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek for the annual summit. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also attended the event marking the organization's 25th anniversary.

The two-day summit, starting Monday, takes place as the world grapples with the aftermath of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which has disrupted global energy and financial markets, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Attendance

This year's summit in Bishkek carries the theme: “Together for Peace, Development, and Sustainable Prosperity.” Besides Xi, Putin, and Modi, the summit includes the presidents of Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other leaders.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn are also expected to attend.

What is the SCO?

The SCO began in 1996 as a security bloc called the “Shanghai Five,” founded by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to resolve border disputes after the Cold War and the Soviet Union's collapse. In June 2001, it evolved into the SCO with Uzbekistan joining, headquartered in Beijing. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, while Iran and Belarus became full members in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The organization counts 14 important dialogue partners, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. SCO member states account for 43% of the global population and 23%—nearly a quarter—of the world economy.

Agenda

According to the SCO Secretariat, the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan are key topics expected to be discussed by leaders.

Relations between India and China—Asia's two largest economies—are also expected to be on the table. Last year, Beijing and New Delhi began normalizing ties after five years of tensions stemming from a deadly 2020 border clash. Trump's tariff war against Indian goods last year compelled New Delhi to mend relations with Beijing. For the first time since 2018, Modi visited China last year for an SCO summit. India-Pakistan border tensions are also expected to be discussed.

On the economic front, trade connectivity will be a main theme as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continues to paralyze critical sea routes like the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global supply chains. The group is expected to discuss new trade and transport corridors, such as the 7,200-kilometer International North-South Transport Corridor linking Russia's port city of St. Petersburg with India's financial hub Mumbai via Iran.

With Modi and Putin expected to hold bilateral talks, discussions on the Northern Sea Route along the Arctic coast are also anticipated. China last month announced a new shipping route through the Arctic Ocean to ease global trade difficulties amid the Hormuz blockade and attacks in the Bab al-Mandeb on the Red Sea. According to Indian media, Moscow and New Delhi may negotiate India's use of the Northern Sea Route as the West Asian crisis continues to affect trade lanes. The SCO will also seek to establish a network of Silk Road stations to support international freight across the Eurasian continent.

Likelihood of Consensus

The Eurasian group often struggles to agree on global geopolitical issues. Russia has persuaded most SCO members to back its stance on the Ukraine war, but India attempts to play a more balanced role—seeking peace, strengthening ties with Ukraine, while buying record amounts of oil from Russia. This year, Ukraine is expected to feature in discussions as Turkish President Erdogan and Russian President Putin are slated for bilateral talks on the matter, according to a Kremlin aide. Europe's deadliest war since World War II has entered its fifth year.

However, the SCO has taken a more collective stance on the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. In March, the SCO condemned the war, stating: “SCO member states consider the use of force unacceptable and support the settlement of existing differences only by peaceful means, based on dialogue, mutual respect, and consideration of the legitimate interests of all parties.” India, which has strong relations with Israel, previously refused to endorse an SCO joint statement condemning Israel's June 2025 attack on Iran.

Iranian President Pezeshkian is also expected to meet Putin on the summit's sidelines. Russia is Iran's close ally. China has become Iran's biggest economic lifeline, buying over 80% of its crude oil. Moscow and Beijing have also shielded Tehran at the United Nations.

Tensions also exist between India and Pakistan over their border disputes. New Delhi has repeatedly called for the organization to condemn “cross-border terrorism” it attributes to Islamabad. Last July, India sought condemnation of an attack by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. Pakistan, in turn, blames India for armed attacks on its territory.

Interests of Russia, China, and India

Analysts suggest each country approaches the summit differently. For China, the SCO is partly about institution-building. Beijing wants to demonstrate it can rally a large swath of Eurasia around its security, connectivity, trade, and development agenda while promoting a more multipolar international order. This bolsters China's growing economic clout in Central Asia.

For Russia, the summit is a chance to show it is not internationally isolated. Maintaining strong ties with China, India, Iran, and Central Asia holds economic and diplomatic significance amid the Ukraine war and Western sanctions. However, Moscow also has an interest in preserving its influence in Eurasia rather than becoming increasingly dependent on China.

India is in an interesting position. Modi's attendance does not signal New Delhi joining a China-Russia axis. India frames its SCO priorities as “security, connectivity, and opportunity,” aligned with its longstanding pursuit of strategic autonomy. New Delhi seeks access and influence in Central Asia, maintains ties with Russia—its main defense supplier—and has mechanisms to manage relations with China. Simultaneously, New Delhi sustains important ties with Washington, including through the Quad security arrangement.

Implications for the U.S.

President Donald Trump has undermined the Western-led international order and criticized Global South blocs like BRICS, which he views as threats to U.S. economic dominance. Yet, the Trump administration has continued some predecessors' approaches and expanded ties with Central Asia, especially the C5 group—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries also pursue diversified diplomacy, seeking to balance Chinese and Russian influence.

Analysts say the SCO summit is a reminder that nations like India will continue to practice strategic autonomy: engaging in the Quad and buying U.S. defense equipment while also dialoguing with Moscow and Beijing. Washington should be cautious about viewing the SCO as a unified anti-U.S. bloc, given the significant differences among China, Russia, and India. “The more important message is that U.S. economic and geopolitical pressure can sometimes create convergence among countries that might otherwise disagree more. The SCO's criticism of unilateral economic measures is significant. China and Russia want a less U.S.-dominated international order. India does not necessarily share that goal, but it wants a world where Washington cannot impose its foreign policy choices,” one expert said.