Xi, Putin, and Modi Gather at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit Amid Rising Global Tensions
In a show of defiance against Western dominance, leaders of more than two dozen nations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The summit, described by the Kremlin as absolutely unprecedented,
is seen as a significant platform for China to flaunt its global pull.
Historical Bonds and Current Alliance
During the summit, Putin noted the historical ties between Russia and China, emphasizing that the peoples of the former USSR and China bore the main burden of World War II. He further praised China's resistance against Japan from 1941-1942, which he claimed allowed the USSR to focus its efforts on liberating Europe from Nazism.
The Russian President also reiterated his commitment to deepening strategic collaboration with China, slamming the West's attempts to distort
World War II history. He went on to highlight the importance of their partnership in stabilizing global affairs and opposing discriminatory sanctions
against BRICS countries.
The SCO Summit: A Show of Unity and Defiance
The summit was a key opportunity for China to project itself as a stable power that champions peace and the developing world. Xi Jinping called on SCO members to uphold international fairness and justice while pursuing mutually beneficial economic and cultural cooperation. He opposed the Cold War mentality,
often used by Beijing to criticize US and Western policies.
Putin, during his four-day visit, scheduled bilateral talks with Xi Jinping and was expected to brief SCO leaders, including Xi and Modi, on his Alaska talks with US President Donald Trump aimed at settling the Ukraine conflict.
Contrasting Views and Tensions
Despite the show of unity, tensions simmered beneath the surface, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During the bilateral meetings, Modi reportedly urged Putin to stop the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.
Putin, however, blamed the West for provoking the war, claiming the crisis originated from a coup and could only be resolved with a balance of security.
The 'Axis of Upheaval'
The summit has been referred to as the 'axis of upheaval' by Japan Times, citing the attendance of North Korea's Kim Jong Un alongside Putin and Xi for the first time. This gathering, along with the defiance against Western dominance, is seen as a display of China's growing influence and the formation of an anti-Western order.
Conclusion
As the SCO summit concludes, it is clear that the event was more than just a meeting of world leaders. It was a significant platform for China, Russia, and India to assert their global influence, challenge Western dominance, and showcase their united front in the face of increasing global tensions. The outcomes of this summit will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for international relations and global power dynamics in the years to come.