SCO Summit in China: Key Attendees and Implications of Trump Tariffs

In July 2024, during a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, China’s President Xi Jinping delivered a compelling message on unity among nations with shared aspirations. He stated, “No mountain or ocean can distance people who share dreams,” highlighting the importance of collaboration among Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states. However, the initial optimism was somewhat undermined at that time by the absence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who did not attend the gathering due to parliamentary commitments, which some analysts interpreted as a diplomatic snub to the bloc predominantly influenced by Beijing and Moscow.

Fast forward to 2025, and the geopolitical context has shifted dramatically. As China prepares to host the annual SCO summit on August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin, expectations are high for a robust turnout of global leaders, including Modi, who will embark on his first visit to China since 2018. This move signals a new chapter in Indo-Chinese relations, especially following India’s need to fortify partnerships amid recent trade tensions with the United States, which imposed substantial tariffs on Indian goods.

Analysts suggest that the upcoming SCO summit will present a stage for Xi to assert China’s role as a stabilizing force in the global arena, particularly among nations in the Global South, seeking to counterbalance Western influences, notably from the United States. Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin remarked that this summit would be pivotal in China’s diplomatic calendar.

The SCO, which began as a security-oriented entity in 1996, has expanded both in membership and function. Now encompassing 14 dialogue partners, including nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, SCO member states represent a significant segment of the global population and economy, accounting for 43 percent of the world’s populace and approximately 23 percent of its economic output.

Despite its impressive numbers, the SCO’s identity and vision remain somewhat ambiguous. The organization strives to foster a collective security framework, which contrasts sharply with the bloc-based approach of NATO. This concept of “indivisible security,” which posits that security for one nation should not come at the expense of another, underscores the SCO’s commitment to multilateralism and collaboration.

As the world navigates several pressing crises, including conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, coupled with ongoing regional tensions, the SCO summit emerges as a potential forum for articulating a vision for multipolarity and enhanced cooperation among member states. The optics of having nations united during these turbulent times may serve to reinforce their collective stance against unilateralism and promote a narrative of solidarity and mutual respect.

The involvement of high-profile leaders, including India’s Modi, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others, reflects the significance of this gathering. As momentum builds toward the summit, it will be critical to observe how these nations articulate their shared goals and address pressing global challenges.

The SCO summit not only represents an opportunity for dialogue among its members but stands as a symbol of a broader push for multilateral cooperation in an increasingly polarized world. With the United States maintaining a watchful eye on the proceedings, the outcomes could have lasting implications for international relations in the years to come.

#PoliticsNews #MiddleEastNews