SCO summit puts multipolar world in spotlight as China, Russia, India and Iran highlight solidarity

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation used its 26th summit in Bishkek to present itself as a voice for a world no longer organized around US power. China, Russia, India and Iran were among the leaders attending the meeting, held as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East continued to unsettle international affairs.

“

The world is witnessing fierce contention between dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum competition, and multilateralism and unilateralism, while the clouds of war have yet to lift.

The organization’s 10 member states adopted the Bishkek Declaration to mark the SCO’s 25th anniversary. It described the world as entering an era of profound geopolitical, socioeconomic and technological change, and called for a stronger United Nations and a “representative, democratic and fair multipolar world order.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping portrayed the moment in stark terms, saying dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum competition, and multilateralism and unilateralism were fiercely contending. He added that the clouds of war had not yet lifted and said the SCO should assume a historic responsibility at a crossroads for humanity.

“

The SCO must assume a historic responsibility at this crossroads for humanity.

The leaders also took a position against the United States on the Middle East. Their declaration condemned military attacks on Iranian territory and said conflicts should be resolved “only through political and diplomatic means.” Without naming Washington, it opposed unilateral coercive measures that violate the UN Charter, international law and World Trade Organization principles, saying they harm food, energy and humanitarian security as well as the global economy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would take reciprocal action if the United States immediately implemented a ceasefire memorandum reached in June.

“

Only through political and diplomatic means.

The meeting also highlighted China’s leverage. China is a major buyer of Russian energy and Iranian oil, supporting both economies while avoiding direct participation in their wars. Yet the SCO’s members do not share a single strategic position. India belongs to the Quad with the United States, Japan and Australia, while maintaining ties with Russia and seeking better relations with China. The declaration therefore stressed that the SCO is not a military or political bloc directed against other countries or international organizations.

“

If the United States immediately implements the ceasefire memorandum reached in June, Iran will take reciprocal measures.