Taiwan, Taiwan (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and eight other countries’ leaders are scheduled to meet in northern China. Shanghai Cooperative Organization It could be a challenge to the US’s incoherent approach to trade and regional conflicts.
The 10-person group gathering in Tianjin, the port city on Sunday and Monday, has grown in size and influence over the past 24 years, even with its goals and programs vague and name recognition remains low. Some people call it the most frightening group you’ve never heard of.
Full membership includes Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Originally considered an impact on the US in Central Asia, the original organization welcomed four new members with the addition of India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
Some of them are the clear enemies of the West, particularly Belarus, an allied by Iran and Russia. Others, including India, China and Russia, have more ambiguous relationships due to Washington’s wobble stance Russia’s war with Ukraine Or because of the confusion around you US Tariffs It disrupted major trading relationships Countries such as China And India.
The two-day SCO summit could shed more light on issues surrounding the group’s activities and intentions.
Growing from local blocks to siege of alliances
Since its founding in 2001, the SCO has been ruled primarily by China, a regional economic superpower, and Russia has used this group to maintain its influence over former Central Asian Soviet republics Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Although Russia’s economic impact is steadily declining, particularly under increasingly severe Western sanctions, both Russia and China are using the alliance as a framework for regional military cooperation.
Belarus, Iran, Pakistan and India later joined in clear attempts to share the impact of SCO’s budding, although the membership value is controversial. Iran and Belarus face international condemnation for sanctions and human rights abuses; Pakistan is heavily dependent on China For military hardware.
India’s entry challenges the equation
India has long stuck to self-recognized policies of neutrality, which may be part of its strategy of self-interest.
Since the Russian-Ukraine War began, India has become a major buyer of Russian oil and has grown Tensions with Washington. Modi also mentioned “stable progress” in improving relations with China Meet the top diplomat In August, we focused on “respect for each other’s interests and sensibilities.”
India’s SCO entry could challenge Russian and Chinese rule more than the association. Despite their trade relations, India is unlikely to provide meaningful support for Russian wars in Ukraine and Taiwan and China’s claims South China Sea.
India has also long sought a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, but has only taken it lukewarm from China and Russia, perhaps to prevent the influence of the West from diluting. Still, New Delhi is almost going to lose as long as Washington continues to broadcast uncertainty in foreign trade.
India said that We will not sign a joint statement With SCO, it is because it sees Pakistan’s attitude in omitting fatal mentions Terrorist attacks on April 22nd About tourists in Kashmir, managed by India. However, India is not expected to sign.
It’s not a bit entuled for China
Beijing gives little hint as to what solid progress is expected from the summit, in line with its diplomatic and political secret nature.
The official Xinhua Conference agency on Monday said it will be used to gather “the largest SCO summit in history and history” and “chart the blueprints of the block’s next decade of development.”
Leaders from around 12 other countries have participated in the summit as dialogue partners of the SCO or as guests including Egypt, Nepal and several Southeast Asian countries.
Xinhua spoke about an organization led by “the spirit of Shanghai, characterized by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and the pursuit of common development.”
Citing the growth in trade and rail freight between China and other members, the Observer state and dialogue partners, Beijing appears to want to highlight the bloc’s economic interests.
It is noted that Xinhua will be signed with a notice of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Group introduces XI Jinping’s multipolar vision
University of Chicago political scientist Dalli Yang said the SCO is one of the most prominent regional organizations co-founded by China.
“Because of China’s leadership, there is a focus on maintaining existing relationships in the international sector, despite the ineffectiveness of SCOs in addressing today’s major challenges,” Yang said.
The summit marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II, days before the massive military parade through Beijing, and was attended by XI and other leaders. A rare show by North Korea’s Kim Jong UnYang said.
The SCO appears to show a desire to move from the dialogue platform to a full-scale mechanism of practical cooperation that will bring concrete results to the citizens of the Member States. However, the question is, “How will it end and how will it end?”
For Xi, “facing the gathering in Tianjin should encourage him to do some positive publicity and perhaps further his image as a leader in the new world’s world order,” Dreyer said.
