BEIJING, Aug 27 (V7N) – Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.
 
The gathering, the largest in SCO’s history, marks Prime Minister Modi’s first trip to China in more than seven years. The occasion comes amid renewed efforts to ease tensions following a 2020 border clash between India and China. Russia is also seeking trilateral talks with China and India during the summit, aiming for greater diplomatic traction despite facing sanctions.
 
Analysts suggest that Xi plans to use the summit to highlight an emerging post‑Western global order, showcasing solidarity among Global South nations and resisting pressure from the U.S. under Donald Trump's leadership. While the SCO’s practical impact remains limited, experts say the optics of unity and narrative control carry significant weight.
 
The summit will also include the United Nations Secretary‑General and heads of other international organizations, underscoring China's diplomatic ambitions.
 
Despite ongoing internal frictions—such as between India and Pakistan—expectations are high for dialogue and incremental cooperation, particularly between India and China. Key areas of interest include trade, climate, border de‑escalation, and people‑to‑people exchanges.
 
Ultimately, the summit is less about substantive policy shifts and more about signaling—an opportunity for Beijing to project leadership and forge alliances at a time of geopolitical flux.
 
END/WD/SMA/