Putin and Xi headline summit with parallel stance to west

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are leading the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The SCO aims to promote fair cooperation, security, and economics among its member states.

Bilateral Meetings and Regional Dynamics

Ahead of the main session, Putin met with Erdogan and Xi, emphasizing the SCO’s role in shaping a multipolar world order. Xi expressed his support for Moscow, while Erdogan sought to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was absent, represented by his external affairs minister.

Alternative International Platforms

The SCO, founded in 2001, has gained prominence in recent years, with Belarus set to become its 10th full member. The alliance represents 40% of the global population and 30% of its GDP, offering an alternative to Western-dominated international platforms.

Economic Ties and Regional Influence

While Russia and China unite against Western domination, they compete economically in Central Asia, a region rich in oil and gas. The SCO focuses on developing projects to link China and Europe via Central Asia, with the Belt and Road infrastructure project playing a key role.

Security and Afghanistan

The summit will likely address Afghanistan, with the Taliban government absent since 2021. Members have not formally recognized the Taliban, but China, Kazakhstan, and Russia have taken steps to engage with the regime. The SCO’s security focus and economic ties will shape the region’s future.

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