China, Russia and India convene in Bishkek for SCO summit challenging US influence
Leaders of China, Russia and India gathered in Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit aimed at countering U.S. global sway.
On Monday, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, bringing together heads of state such as China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and India's Narendra Modi. In side meetings, Putin and Xi discussed solidifying a permanent visa-free travel regime, and Putin is set to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as formal sessions commence. Founded in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian nations, the SCO has grown to ten members—including India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan—and hosts many dialogue partners.
While the bloc markets itself as a counterweight to the G7 and a platform for regional development, analysts note internal divergences and view the summit as largely symbolic for some participants, especially India. Turkey, a dialogue partner, also aims to use the forum to boost its Eurasian influence while preserving NATO ties. The gathering underscores Beijing's push for an alternative world order with Russian support.
Why it matters
The summit signals a coordinated Eurasian effort to offer an alternative to Western-led international institutions.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes China’s push for influence and India’s growing disillusionment with the SCO, while centrist coverage focuses on the India-Russia meeting and India’s balancing act, and right-leaning coverage portrays the summit as largely symbolic with internal divergences.
LEFT
The summit is presented as a stage for China’s expanding influence and India’s waning enthusiasm for the China-led SCO.
CENTER
The meeting is framed as a test of India-Russia ties within a bloc positioned as a counterweight to US influence, highlighting India’s balancing act.
RIGHT
The summit is depicted as largely symbolic, marked by internal splits and limited effectiveness as a counterweight to the US.
The left emphasises
- China’s efforts to expand influence
- India’s growing disillusionment with the SCO
- clues to Beijing’s ambitions for a more multipolar Eurasia
The right emphasises
- summit largely symbolic for some participants
- internal divergences within the SCO
- questioning the summit’s impact as a counterweight to the G7
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