Largest SCO Summit in History to Showcase Global Influence of India, China and Russia

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will hold its largest-ever summit in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, featuring 20 global leaders, including Indian PM Narendra Modi. As this year’s rotating chair, China aims to highlight its global influence. Key attendees include Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, alongside UN leaders. The summit will focus on cooperation, security, and development, with major agreements expected. A military parade on September 3 will conclude this pivotal diplomatic event.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is set to host its largest summit to date later this month in Tianjin, China, with 20 global leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to attend. The event, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, marks the fifth SCO summit hosted by China and underscores the country’s growing prominence on the global stage.

China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin described the upcoming summit as a historic milestone for the 10-member organisation. "This will be the largest summit in SCO history," Liu said during a media briefing, highlighting the significant international participation.

A Gathering of Prominent Leaders

The summit will bring together an impressive array of global figures. In addition to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, other notable attendees include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

South Asia will also have a strong representation, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu confirmed to attend.

Adding to the grandeur, officials from 10 international organisations, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, will also participate.

China’s Role as Host and Rotating Chair

As the rotating chair of the SCO this year, China is leading the 10-member bloc, which consists of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and China itself. This year’s summit, known as the "SCO Plus" meeting, is seen as a platform for Beijing to underscore its growing global influence.

The summit will conclude just in time for many leaders to stay on for China’s grand military parade in Beijing on September 3. The parade, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, will showcase cutting-edge military technology, including fourth-generation tanks, unmanned systems, hypersonic missiles, and other advanced weaponry, according to Chinese media reports.

Xi Jinping’s Vision for the SCO

During the summit, President Xi Jinping will preside over the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the "SCO Plus" meeting. Xi is expected to deliver keynote speeches elaborating on China’s vision for the bloc, centered on the "Shanghai Spirit," a philosophy that emphasizes mutual trust, cooperation, and shared development.

Liu Bin revealed that Xi will announce several new initiatives aimed at fostering high-quality growth within the SCO and enhancing collaboration among member states. These measures are expected to focus on strengthening the global governance system and safeguarding the international order established after World War II.

Key Outcomes and Agreements

The summit is also set to produce significant agreements and declarations. Leaders will sign a joint declaration, approve a 10-year development strategy for the SCO, and issue statements commemorating both the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. The summit will also adopt a series of documents aimed at bolstering security, economic partnerships, and cultural exchanges among member states.

President Xi will host a welcome banquet and bilateral meetings with participating leaders, further solidifying China’s role as a diplomatic powerhouse.

A Defining Moment for the SCO

This year’s summit represents not only a major diplomatic event for China but also a pivotal moment for the SCO. As the bloc continues to expand its influence, the outcomes of this gathering are expected to shape its trajectory for years to come.

By hosting the largest SCO summit in history, China is reaffirming its commitment to multilateralism and showcasing its leadership on the world stage. The event promises to be a defining moment in the organisation’s history, with global implications for security, cooperation, and development.