Russian President, Putin, touches down in China for a summit meeting.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, joining a host of world leaders amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin is also scheduled to attend, following his multi-day visit to China.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India has maintained a delicate position. Despite not condemning Russia's invasion, the Indian government has offered to mediate, a move that has raised eyebrows globally. However, it's worth noting that India continues to maintain close ties with Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, too, has expressed his readiness for a meeting with Putin, signalling a potential diplomatic thaw. Reports suggest that Zelensky recently spoke with Modi by phone to discuss peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict.
The SCO, an organisation that includes China, Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and four Central Asian states, is seen as a platform for these nations to strengthen their relations and establish a counterweight to Western alliances like NATO. China and Russia, in particular, use the SCO to bolster their influence in Central Asia.
The SCO summit in Tianjin is expected to be the largest since its founding in 2001, with over 20 heads of state and government in attendance, including Putin, Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
However, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has cancelled his attendance due to violent protests in his country.
The SCO meeting comes at a time when China is hosting a massive military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The parade, scheduled for September 3, is expected to attract a significant number of world leaders, including Putin.
The SCO summit and the military parade in Beijing serve as a testament to the complex web of international relations, with leaders navigating geopolitical tensions while seeking opportunities for diplomacy and cooperation.
In the midst of these global events, the Ukraine conflict continues to simmer, with Zelensky accusing China of not contributing to ending the Russian aggression and supporting Russia with drones. Meanwhile, Russia appears interested in closer ties with India, particularly amidst trade disputes between India and the USA.
East Asia expert Lim Tai of Japan's Soka University suggests that Putin needs the advantages of the SCO as a player on the world stage and also the support of the world's second-largest economy.
As the SCO summit unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for signs of progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict and for a more peaceful, cooperative international environment. India, in particular, has expressed its support for all efforts to restore peace and stability in Ukraine.
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