ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on August 31.
The two leaders will share the stage during the two-day summit in Kyrgyzstan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to join other regional leaders.
SCO Leaders Gather in Bishkek
Around a dozen heads of state will travel to Bishkek for the summit.
The meeting will mark 25 years of the SCO.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov will chair the main plenary session.
The session will include Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, Modi and Shehbaz Sharif.
The SCO brings together major powers from Asia and Eurasia.
Its members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and four Central Asian countries.
Belarus also belongs to the bloc.
Bloc Seeks Greater Global Influence
Russia and China have used past SCO summits to promote a multipolar world.
Both countries also want to strengthen cooperation outside Western-led institutions.
The SCO says it does not operate as an alliance against other countries.
Its founding declaration makes this position clear.
However, Putin and Xi have often criticised Western policies during SCO meetings.
Putin blamed Western countries for provoking the Ukraine war at last year’s summit.
Xi also criticised what he described as acts of intimidation.
His comments referred to growing tensions between China and the United States.
Putin Expected to Hold Bilateral Meetings
Putin is expected to hold several meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
He will likely meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
He may also hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Putin planned bilateral meetings with several leaders.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their military and economic ties during the Ukraine war.
Both countries also face extensive Western sanctions.
Summit Takes Place During Major Conflicts
The Bishkek summit comes during a period of major global tensions.
Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Tensions between the United States and Iran also remain high.
Several SCO members also face trade disputes with Washington.
The United States has imposed tariffs and other restrictions on Chinese and Indian goods.
Washington has also increased pressure on Iran and its trading partners.
Iran Seeks Support Through SCO Membership
Iran joined the SCO as a full member in 2023.
Tehran hopes stronger ties with SCO members can reduce the impact of Western sanctions.
Iran has faced economic pressure for decades.
President Pezeshkian has also acknowledged the country’s economic difficulties.
However, experts say the SCO may not solve Iran’s problems during major crises.
The group has often struggled to provide concrete support to members.
SCO Represents a Major Share of the Global Population
The SCO says its members represent around 40 percent of the world’s population.
The bloc also accounts for about 25 percent of global GDP.
However, the organisation includes countries with competing interests.
Russia and China compete for influence in Central Asia.
The region holds major natural resources and important trade routes.
China and India have also experienced strained relations.
These differences could limit deeper cooperation within the bloc.
A Key Meeting for Regional Powers
The Bishkek summit will bring several major regional leaders together.
Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi will attend alongside Putin and Xi.
The meeting will also give leaders a chance to hold separate bilateral talks.
The summit comes at a time of wars, trade disputes and growing global divisions.
For the SCO, the gathering offers another chance to strengthen its role on the world stage.
