PM Modi China Visit / Trump's eye on Modi-Jinping's meeting, what is the agenda of SCO Summit?

PM Modi China Visit: After his Japan visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now reached Tianjin, China, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit to be held from 31 August to 1 September 2025. During this, PM Modi will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other global leaders. This visit is his first visit to China since 2018, which is considered important to strengthen India's national interests, regional peace, and global development.

Importance of SCO Summit

The SCO Summit is being held at a time when global geopolitics is in turmoil. The Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Hamas conflict, and growing security tensions in South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region make this summit even more important. Apart from this, the threat of 50% tariff on Indian goods by former US President Donald Trump has raised fears of a global trade war. Against this backdrop, the SCO Summit will serve as a platform for Chinese President Xi Jinping to project China as a country uniting the Global South.

The SCO member countries represent 43% of the world’s population and 23% of the global economy. The summit will be attended by more than 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international organisations, including leaders from Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Maldives. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Horn will also attend the event.

Establishment and Objectives of the SCO

The SCO began as the Shanghai Five in 1996 when China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan founded it to resolve border disputes after the Cold War. India and Pakistan were added to the membership in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. The organization's 14 dialogue partners include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. The main objective of the SCO is to promote regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Key issues of the summit

1. Global trade and tariffs

After the US threatened a 50% tariff on Indian goods, India can explore the possibilities of strong partnerships with China and other countries of Eurasia at the SCO summit. This summit can provide an opportunity to strengthen an alternative economic alliance amid the global trade war.

2. Geopolitical tensions

There has been a lack of uniformity among the SCO member countries on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. India has taken a balanced stand on the Ukraine war, in which it has demanded an end to the war, while also continuing to buy oil from Russia. At the same time, there are differences among the SCO countries over Israel's military operations in Gaza and attacks on Iran. Last year, India refused to support the SCO's joint statement condemning the Israeli attack on Iran.

3. India-Pakistan tension

Tensions between two major SCO member countries, India and Pakistan, may also be a topic of discussion at the summit. India has recently accused Pakistan of being behind the Pahalgam attack, which Islamabad has rejected.

Global View

US response

The US will keep a close eye on the SCO summit, especially the talks between India and China. Trump has criticized organizations of the Global South, such as BRICS, and has also threatened to weaken the SCO. The summit may also set the stage for the upcoming Quad Summit (which includes India, Japan, Australia, and the US) to be hosted by India.

Military parade in Beijing

After the SCO summit, a huge military parade will be held in Beijing on September 3, which may be attended by leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Indonesia. North Korea's Kim Jong Un is also likely to attend the parade. However, PM Modi will not take part in this parade.