Leaders from Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and several Central Asian countries convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the 25th anniversary summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional bloc that positions itself as a counterbalance to Western influence. The two-day meeting, held as global geopolitical tensions continue to shape international relations, brought together key figures including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states, aims to promote regional security and economic cooperation. Over the past quarter-century, it has expanded to include 10 full members — Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan — with an additional 15 dialogue partners such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia. The organization claims to represent about 40 percent of the world’s population and roughly 25 percent of global GDP.
At the summit, held amid ongoing conflicts—most notably Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and tensions between the United States and Iran—leaders emphasized shared interests and presented a unified vision. Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, Modi, and Sharif participated in a plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Bilateral talks were also planned, including meetings between Putin and Xi Jinping and between Putin and Pezeshkian.
The summit occurs against a backdrop of intensified geopolitical friction. Russia and Iran, both subject to extensive Western sanctions, have significantly deepened military and economic cooperation since the Ukraine conflict began more than four years ago. This cooperation has attracted concern from the United States, with officials warning against arms transfers from Russia and China to Iran. The timing of Putin’s meeting with Pezeshkian follows a rare visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow, amid speculation that discussions may have included issues related to Ukraine and Iran.
Economic issues remain central to the SCO, though the bloc’s agenda has broadened under the leadership of Moscow and Beijing. The group’s engagement comes as some members grapple with trade tensions. The United States recently imposed secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s trading partners in sectors such as gold, technology, digital assets, aviation, and maritime transport. China, a major importer of Iranian oil, has vowed to safeguard its interests in response.
Despite the SCO’s claims of unity and growing influence, experts note ongoing challenges within the group. Rivalries and differing national interests persist, including competition between Russia and China for influence in Central Asia, and complicated relations among member states such as India and Pakistan. Some analysts also caution that while Iran sees its membership as a way to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions, the practical benefits in times of crisis have been limited.
The summit continues a tradition of promoting a multipolar international order, with participating leaders underscoring their opposition to what they characterize as Western dominance. Previous SCO meetings have featured speeches critiquing Western policies, highlighting the organization’s role as a platform for alternative geopolitical discourse. As the bloc marks its quarter-century, questions remain about its ability to translate rhetoric into cohesive action amid a complex and evolving global landscape.