Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September. The move comes as a strong response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats. Analysts say the summit is part of China’s broader strategy to project a new world order that challenges U.S.-led dominance.
The gathering takes place at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and BRICS nations. Experts believe China will use the event to signal that American efforts to isolate Russia, Iran, and now India have failed. Eric Olander, editor of the China-Global South Project, said the summit will highlight the weakening of U.S.-led influence and the rise of a multipolar world order.
For India and China, the summit also offers an opportunity to ease strained ties. Both countries have faced long-standing border disputes and tensions. Observers expect discussions on troop disengagement, easing trade restrictions, and relaxing visa rules, which could mark a step forward in bilateral relations.
The SCO, which now includes 10 permanent members and 16 observers, has grown in reach but faces questions about its long-term direction and concrete outcomes. Manoj Kewalramani of the Takshashila Institution noted that the organisation’s vision remains unclear, yet it has become an important platform for aligning collective interests against U.S. policies.
This year’s summit is being described as the largest since the SCO’s founding in 2001. A Chinese foreign ministry official called it a key step in building “a new type of international relations.” Beyond strengthening regional cooperation, the summit is expected to advance joint action on global issues such as climate change, though its role in security remains limited.
