Putin and Xi Join Leaders at Kyrgyzstan Summit Marking 25 Years of SCO

Islamabad, Pakistan Aug 30, 2026 ALN: Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are expected in Central Asia’s Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a two-day summit, also attended by Pakistan, Iran, and India’s leaders, of a regional bloc seeking to be a counter-influence to the West.

Around a dozen heads of states will head to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek to mark 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Established in 1996, the SCO was initially formed to address security concerns in Central Asia, particularly in relation to terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Over the years, it has evolved to encompass broader economic, political, and cultural cooperation among its member states.

The group brings together Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries, and Moscow-allied Belarus. The diversity of the group reflects a wide range of political systems, economic interests, and regional agendas. This summit comes at a time when the geopolitical landscape is increasingly complex, with the rise of multipolarity challenging the traditional dominance of Western powers, particularly the United States.

This summit takes place four-and-a-half years into Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and six months into the war between Washington and Tehran. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has strained Russia's relations with the West and has led to increased cooperation with non-Western countries, particularly in Asia. Iran, represented by its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is also navigating its own tensions with the U.S., particularly following the collapse of the nuclear deal and the re-imposition of sanctions.

PM Shehbaz and Modi to join them at SCO event

Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, as well as India’s Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are due to take part in a plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov. The presence of leaders from such diverse nations underscores the SCO's role as a platform for dialogue among countries with differing political ideologies and economic systems.

Putin is also expected to hold separate bilateral talks with Pezeshkian and Xi, among other leaders, Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov said. These discussions are likely to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, and security. Russia and Iran, among the most sanctioned states in the world, have massively deepened their military and economic ties during the Ukraine war, seeking to bolster each other's positions in the face of Western pressure.

US President Donald Trump has warned Moscow and Beijing against arming Iran, indicating the heightened tensions between these nations and the U.S. The geopolitical dynamics are further complicated by the U.S. imposing tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods, which has led to trade wars that impact global supply chains and economic stability.

Putin’s meeting with Pezeshkian comes days after the CIA’s director John Ratcliffe made a rare trip to Moscow, with U.S. media speculating he could have discussed Ukraine and Iran with his Russian counterparts. This indicates the high stakes involved as the U.S. seeks to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the region.

The SCO has historically focused on economic issues, but it gained momentum in recent years under Moscow’s and Beijing’s leadership. The organization has expanded its agenda to include counter-terrorism, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges, aiming to foster a sense of regional solidarity among its members.

The SCO’s founding declaration states that the group is “not an alliance directed against other states.” This assertion is crucial as it seeks to position the SCO as a cooperative body rather than a confrontational bloc. However, the reality is that the geopolitical tensions surrounding its member states often complicate this narrative.

Real and Trade Wars

The Bishkek summit takes place as some SCO members are in the midst of real wars — the Ukraine and Iran conflicts — or trade wars, with the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods. The ongoing conflicts and economic pressures highlight the challenges the SCO faces in presenting a unified front. While the bloc claims to represent some 40 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of global GDP, it remains diverse, with some disagreements among members that can hinder collective action.

Mohammad Hassan Najmi, an international relations expert, told AFP that Tehran “believes its membership and active participation in these alliances can enable it to circumvent U.S. and European sanctions.” This perspective reflects a broader strategy among SCO members to seek alternatives to Western-dominated economic systems. However, Najmi also noted that the concrete benefits of the group are uncertain, as “in times of crisis, these alliances have rarely allowed Iran to resolve its difficulties.” This skepticism underscores the complexities of international relations and the limitations of regional organizations in addressing member states' specific challenges.

As the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, the summit serves as a critical juncture for the organization. It provides an opportunity for member states to reassess their priorities, strengthen partnerships, and address the pressing issues that define the current geopolitical landscape. The outcomes of the discussions in Bishkek could have significant implications for the future of the SCO and its role in global affairs, particularly as it seeks to navigate the challenges posed by Western hegemony and the shifting balance of power in the international system.