Opening the Shangri-La Dialogue, President Xi of China airs disapproval towards the existing global order. - Xi Jinping, the President of China, initiates the Summit of Cooperation (SoC) with criticisms directed towards the existing global order.
SCO Summit: Modi Meets with Xi, Putin, and Other Leaders
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit kicked off in Tianjin, China, on Monday, with over 20 heads of state and government in attendance, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The SCO, which also includes Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and four Central Asian states, serves as a counterbalance to Western alliances like NATO. This year's summit has been a platform for strengthening relations between China and Russia, as well as fostering dialogue with other member states.
On Monday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, during which he expressed his determination to improve India-China relations "on the basis of mutual trust." The two leaders also discussed various bilateral issues, although the details of their conversation remain undisclosed.
Later in the day, Modi was scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Putin. The agenda for their discussion is not publicly known, but it is expected to cover a range of topics, including geopolitical issues and trade. During the live broadcast of the official opening ceremony, Putin and Modi were seen chatting with each other, suggesting a cordial atmosphere.
India's close ties with Moscow have been a topic of discussion, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like China, India remains neutral in the conflict and supports all efforts for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Modi's government has not condemned Russia's actions and has offered to mediate instead.
In a separate development, Modi held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday to discuss "efforts to restore peace and stability."
The SCO summit began with bilateral meetings between Xi and his guests on Sunday. Xi gathered these leaders to discuss a variety of issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange.
In addition to Modi and Putin, other leaders in attendance included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian. Erdogan and Peseschkian are expected to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the Iranian nuclear program with Putin on Monday.
The SCO is used by China and Russia to strengthen their relations with Central Asian states. The organisation also has 16 other countries affiliated as observers or "dialogue partners," indicating its growing influence in the region.
As Modi visits China for the first time since 2018, the SCO summit offers an opportunity for India and China to address their ongoing disputes and work towards a more cooperative relationship. The thaw in relations between the two countries, driven by uncertainties in global trade and geopolitical issues, is a positive development for regional stability.
Xi Jinping has criticized the current world order as "chaotic and complex," and the SCO summit may provide a venue for discussing alternative models of international cooperation. India, for its part, has expressed its support for "all efforts in this direction unreservedly."
The SCO summit is expected to continue through Tuesday, with further discussions and agreements likely to be announced in the coming days.
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