Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet for the second time since May during the annual session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kazakhstan. The alliance between the two leaders is seen as a demonstration against the U.S. and its Western allies, with the SCO being founded partly to counter Western domination. Other world leaders attending the conference include Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, leaders from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran’s acting President Mohammad Mokhbar.
Of the nine member nations, only Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be attending the meeting, sending his foreign minister instead. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will be in attendance, making Belarus the 10th member of the SCO. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to attend the meeting, as Turkey holds partner status with the group. Erdogan will also be attending the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, making him the only leader to be present at both top sessions.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, Erdogan has offered to serve as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv. India, on the other hand, is trying to balance its relationships with Russia and the West. Despite not attending the SCO conference, Indian Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the G-7 summit last month has sparked speculation about his geopolitical strategy. Countries like Kazakhstan are using the SCO conference to strengthen economic and political ties with neighboring nations.
Putin is expected to use the SCO meeting as an opportunity to show that Russia is not isolated from the international community despite facing Western sanctions and global criticism over the war in Ukraine. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will also be present at the conference to continue communications with major world leaders. The two-day meeting comes right before the NATO summit, where leaders will discuss key global issues and potential partnerships. Erdogan’s presence at both meetings highlights Turkey’s important role in bridging the gap between Russia and the West.
Overall, the meeting between Xi Jinping and Putin at the SCO conference signifies a united front against Western influence for the member nations. As tensions escalate in various regions, leaders like Erdogan and Modi are treading carefully to maintain positive relationships on multiple fronts. The presence of world leaders at the conference underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges and conflicts. The outcome of the meeting may have significant implications for the balance of power and international relations in the coming months.
