Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held a virtual summit hosted by India on Tuesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping urging members to strengthen ties and resist Western sanctions. The SCO, which includes countries from Moscow to Beijing and covers about half of the world’s population, aims to promote trade and security cooperation among its members.
In his address, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked SCO partners for their support during a brief mutiny staged by the leader of the private military company, Wagner. Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to resisting external pressure, sanctions, and provocations, while expressing gratitude to SCO members for their support during the coup attempt.
Xi Jinping called for efforts to maintain regional peace and common security, emphasizing the need for SCO members to strengthen their unity. While China claims to be neutral in the conflict in Ukraine, it has faced criticism from Western countries for refusing to condemn Russia’s offensive actions and increasing its support for Putin’s war efforts.
Iran became a full member of the SCO during the summit, seeking to enhance its diplomacy, reduce isolation, and improve its economic and program strength. However, some Western critics express concern about the alliance between Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran, considering it anti-Western. Experts argue that the SCO itself is not an anti-Western organization, as Central Asian countries and India do not view it in that light.
The summit also addressed key issues such as the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the situation in Afghanistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned about Afghanistan becoming a base for spreading instability, while Pakistani Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif called for urgent international engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.
India, as a member of both the SCO and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad), walks a diplomatic tightrope. While India maintains strong ties with Russia in terms of arms supply and energy imports, it also seeks to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness through its partnership with the US, Japan, and Australia.
In conclusion, the SCO virtual summit emphasized the importance of strengthening ties among member countries and resisting Western sanctions. It highlighted the strategic partnership between China and Russia, Iran’s full membership in the organization, and regional concerns such as India-Pakistan tensions and the situation in Afghanistan. The summit aimed to promote unity and regional stability, while acknowledging different perspectives and opinions among member states.
