The upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin will be defined by the complex trilateral power dynamic between India’s Narendra Modi, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and China’s Xi Jinping. The scheduled bilateral meetings among these three leaders will be the focal point of the entire event.
Putin has already set a strong agenda, condemning Western sanctions and promoting the Russia-China axis as the engine of a new world order. His meetings with both Modi and Xi will be crucial for consolidating support for this vision within the Eurasian heartland.
The Modi-Putin meeting will test the long-standing India-Russia partnership in an era of shifting global alignments. They will need to navigate India’s ties with the West while discussing cooperation in defense, energy, and within the BRICS framework.
Meanwhile, the Modi-Xi dialogue takes place amidst their own bilateral complexities. Their ability to find common ground within the SCO context, especially on issues like security and economic development, will be critical for the organization’s future cohesion and influence.