Tianjin, China – – In a high-stakes gathering that underscores the evolving multipolar world order, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the northern port city of Tianjin. The annual summit, hosted by China this year, brought together leaders from across Asia and beyond to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism efforts. Amid bilateral talks and plenary sessions, the trio’s interactions highlighted efforts to bolster partnerships in the face of Western pressures, particularly from the United States.
The SCO, founded in 2001 by China and Russia, now includes nine full members: China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This year’s event, attended by dozens of world leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, focused on themes of unity and resilience against external influences. Xi Jinping, in his opening address, emphasized the need for SCO nations to “unite against hegemonic forces” and announced a new talent exchange scheme to foster closer ties among member states. He specifically called for India and China – often referred to metaphorically as the “dragon and elephant” – to “dance together” rather than compete, signaling a potential thaw in bilateral relations strained by border disputes.
Prime Minister Modi, arriving in China for the summit, addressed the plenary session of top leaders, where he reiterated India’s commitment to multilateralism and peaceful resolution of conflicts. On the sidelines, Modi held a key bilateral meeting with Putin, expected to cover energy cooperation, defense ties, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The two leaders, who share a long-standing strategic partnership, discussed ways to enhance trade amid global sanctions on Russia. Xi also met separately with both Modi and Putin, with the India-China dialogue focusing on border de-escalation and economic collaboration. In a joint statement following their meeting, China and India pledged to be “partners, not rivals,” marking a diplomatic win for Xi amid lingering tensions from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
The trilateral dynamics among Modi, Putin, and Xi were on full display, though no formal three-way meeting was announced. Observers noted the summit’s timing, coming just months into a potentially turbulent period in global politics. With the SCO positioning itself as a counterweight to U.S.-led alliances like NATO and the Quad (comprising the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia), the gathering in Tianjin served as a platform for autocratic and emerging powers to align strategies. Xi’s hosting of the event was seen as an attempt to leverage recent U.S. internal divisions to rally leaders against the “U.S.-led order,” with discussions touching on trade wars, technology restrictions, and security challenges in Eurasia.
Trump’s Likely Irritation: A Shadow Over the Summit
The summit’s proceedings unfolded under the looming shadow of U.S. politics, particularly the influence of former President Donald Trump, who reclaimed the White House in the 2024 election. Sources close to the event suggest that the strengthening of SCO ties – especially the Modi-Putin-Xi axis – is poised to irritate Trump, known for his hawkish stance on China and Russia. Trump’s administration has prioritized confronting Beijing over trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, and Taiwan, while imposing sanctions on Moscow for its actions in Ukraine. The SCO’s emphasis on de-dollarization, alternative payment systems, and military cooperation directly challenges these U.S. policies.
Analysts point out that Trump’s “America First” approach could view the summit as a direct snub, especially with India’s participation. Despite strong U.S.-India ties under the Quad, Modi’s engagement with Putin and Xi might raise eyebrows in Washington, where Trump has criticized allies for not aligning fully against adversaries. “Trump turmoil” – referring to ongoing domestic debates over foreign policy – was subtly referenced in summit discussions as an opportunity for SCO nations to forge independent paths. If irritated, Trump could respond with escalated tariffs on Chinese goods or pressure on India to reduce Russian oil imports, potentially straining transatlantic and Indo-Pacific alliances.
As the summit concludes, the Modi-Putin-Xi meetings signal a resilient bloc navigating a fractured global landscape. While concrete outcomes remain to be seen, the event reinforces the SCO’s role as a pivotal force in international relations, much to the chagrin of observers in the West.
