SCO Summit Opens in Bishkek as Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, Modi and Shehbaz Gather Amid Global Tensions

A two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) begins Monday in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, bringing together the leaders of nearly a dozen countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The summit marks the 25th anniversary of the regional bloc, which has increasingly become a platform for Russia and China to promote a multipolar world order as an alternative to Western-led global influence.

The SCO's full members include Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, and four Central Asian states.

Key Leaders to Hold Bilateral Meetings

The plenary session will be chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Alongside the main summit, the Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin will hold separate bilateral meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with additional meetings expected with other participating leaders.

The Putin-Pezeshkian meeting is attracting particular attention as both Russia and Iran remain among the world's most heavily sanctioned countries. Military and economic cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has expanded significantly since the outbreak of the Ukraine war.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned both Russia and China against supplying weapons to Iran, adding another layer of geopolitical significance to the summit.

Summit Held Against the Backdrop of Global Conflicts

This year's SCO meeting comes amid multiple international crises. Russia's military campaign in Ukraine has entered its fifth year, while tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate.

The planned meeting between Putin and Pezeshkian follows a rare visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, prompting media speculation that discussions may have focused on developments related to Ukraine and Iran.

From Regional Cooperation to Geopolitical Platform

Founded to strengthen regional security and economic cooperation, the SCO has evolved into a more active geopolitical forum under the leadership of Moscow and Beijing.

Although the organization's founding declaration states that it is "not directed against any other state," recent summits have frequently featured criticism of Western policies by Russian and Chinese leaders.

At last year's summit, Putin accused Western nations of fueling the war in Ukraine, while Xi criticized what he described as acts of "intimidation" amid rising tensions between China and the United States.

As a result, many analysts increasingly view the SCO as a platform aimed at balancing Western influence, even though it is not formally a military alliance.

Member States Face Multiple Challenges

The Bishkek summit is taking place while several SCO members are facing significant geopolitical and economic pressures.

Russia remains engaged in the war in Ukraine, while Iran continues to confront growing tensions with the United States. At the same time, China and India are navigating trade disputes with Washington, including U.S. tariffs on various imports.

Earlier this month, the United States imposed a new round of secondary sanctions targeting countries and businesses maintaining commercial ties with Iran. The restrictions cover sectors including gold, technology, digital assets, aviation, and maritime transport.

Washington says the measures are intended to increase economic pressure on Tehran while warning Iran's international partners of possible sanctions.

China, one of Iran's largest oil buyers, has rejected the pressure, saying it will firmly safeguard its national interests.

Iran Looks to SCO to Ease Sanctions Pressure

Iran has lived under various U.S. and Western sanctions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has consistently maintained that it will not yield to economic pressure.

However, President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that Iran is currently facing serious economic difficulties.

International relations analyst Mohammad Hassan Nazmi said Tehran believes that active participation in organizations such as the SCO could help expand economic and diplomatic cooperation and reduce the impact of Western sanctions.

Iran became a full member of the SCO in 2023, although analysts remain uncertain about how much practical support the organization can provide during periods of crisis.

A Bloc Representing 40 Percent of the World's Population

Collectively, SCO member states represent nearly 40 percent of the global population and account for approximately one-quarter of the world's gross domestic product (GDP).

Despite its size, the organization faces internal challenges due to differing political priorities and strategic interests among its members.

Russia and China continue to compete for influence in resource-rich Central Asia, a region of growing strategic importance because of its role in connecting Europe and Asia through trade routes.

Longstanding disputes between China and India, as well as between India and Pakistan, also complicate efforts to build a unified regional agenda.

Alternative to the West or a Forum for Shared Interests?

Observers expect Russia and China to use the Bishkek summit to reaffirm their support for a multipolar international order. For Iran, the gathering presents an opportunity to deepen economic and diplomatic cooperation beyond the reach of Western sanctions.

However, analysts caution that the SCO's internal divisions, competing national interests, and lack of a formal military framework raise questions about whether it can emerge as a true alternative to the Western-led global order.

Nevertheless, with the wars in Ukraine and involving Iran, continuing U.S. sanctions, and ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, the presence of Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, Modi, and Shehbaz Sharif on the same stage is expected to make this year's SCO summit one of the bloc's most significant in recent years.