Putin and Xi Gather in Kyrgyzstan for SCO Summit Amidst Global Tensions

In a strategic move to bolster their influence, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to convene in Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a pivotal two-day summit. This meeting will also welcome leaders from Iran and India, reflecting the bloc's intent to assert its geopolitical clout against Western pressures.

The summit commemorates 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), drawing around a dozen heads of state to Bishkek. The SCO, which includes major players like Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Iran, among others, aims to strengthen regional ties amidst ongoing conflicts and sanctions imposed by Western nations.

As the summit unfolds, geopolitical tensions remain high with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the complex US-Iran dynamics. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will be present, highlighting Tehran's growing military and economic ties with Russia, especially in light of increasing sanctions. Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov indicated that Putin is expected to hold bilateral discussions with various leaders, including Pezeshkian and Xi.

The SCO has historically emphasized economic cooperation, but recent years have seen Moscow and Beijing steering it towards a more pronounced political stance, often characterized by anti-Western rhetoric. Last year's summit saw Putin blaming the West for the Ukraine conflict, while Xi criticized US actions as intimidation. This gathering takes place amid serious conflicts and trade disputes affecting many member states, particularly with the US imposing sanctions on Iranian trading partners.

Despite the SCO's claims of representing 40% of the global population and 25% of the world’s GDP, internal divisions persist, especially between Russia and China over Central Asian influence, as well as historical tensions between India and Pakistan.

Source: www.france24.com