Modi to Putin: We must move towards the end of the war

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kyrgyzstan on August 31, 2026, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other regional leaders. The summit, held in Bishkek, marks a significant gathering of nations seeking to counterbalance U.S. influence in global affairs. Alongside Xi and Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to participate, highlighting the growing political and strategic alignment within the bloc. The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and several Central Asian states, has expanded significantly over the years to include India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus as full members. Additional countries, including Afghanistan, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, hold observer or dialogue partner statuses. Collectively, these nations represent over 40 percent of the world’s population and roughly a quarter of global GDP, according to World Bank statistics. This demographic and economic weight underscores the SCO’s potential as a counterforce to Western-dominated international institutions. Xi’s presence at the summit comes amid heightened tensions between the SCO and the United States. Recent developments, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning of an “economic D-Day” targeting Iran and its allies, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the SCO in providing tangible support to its members. Despite the rhetoric of unity, the organization has struggled to implement cohesive strategies to address external pressures, particularly from the U.S., which continues to exert economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran through sanctions and trade restrictions. During his visit, Xi is expected to engage in discussions with Putin, marking their eleventh meeting since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Their bilateral talks are anticipated to focus on strengthening military and economic cooperation, particularly given Russia’s increasing reliance on China following European sanctions. Putin’s participation in the summit aims to demonstrate that Russia is not politically isolated despite ongoing conflicts and international scrutiny. Analysts suggest that the summit will serve as a platform for both leaders to reaffirm their strategic partnership and signal resilience against Western pressure. In addition to bilateral meetings, the summit will feature high-level dialogues involving multiple regional stakeholders. The inclusion of Iran’s Pezeshkian highlights the SCO’s role as a forum for addressing regional security issues, although the extent of practical support for Iran remains uncertain. While symbolic gestures of solidarity are likely, concrete actions to counter U.S. policies remain elusive due to internal divisions and competing national interests among member states. Xi’s agenda extends beyond the SCO summit. Following the summit, he is set to conduct a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, followed by a trip to Egypt. His schedule also includes attendance at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, hosted by Modi, where he is expected to meet with Putin again. These engagements underscore China’s broader diplomatic strategy to consolidate alliances and project influence across different regions. The SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan thus represents a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy, reflecting the evolving dynamics of international relations. As the bloc seeks to solidify its position as a counterweight to U.S. dominance, the outcomes of the summit will be closely watched by analysts and policymakers worldwide.