Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opens as Putin meets Chinese and Indian leaders

The leaders of China, Russia and India gathered in Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit that has been cast as a counterweight to U.S. global influence. The meeting brings together governments seeking to deepen relations beyond the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate bilateral sessions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines. Russian state media reported that Putin told Xi Moscow was ready to make the current visa-free regime between Russia and China permanent. They also reported his assessment that relations between Russia and India were growing stronger.

Putin is expected to hold talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the following day. The summit takes place as Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fifth year and Iran remains in its sixth month of conflict with the United States and Israel, according to the account.

Both Russia and Iran see the organisation as an important forum for strengthening ties with partners outside the Western bloc. Founded in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian countries, the organisation began as a security forum. It now has 10 members, including Iran, Pakistan, Belarus and India, while other countries hold dialogue-partner status.