Kyrgyzstan detains Bangladeshi illegal migrants
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are currently in Kazakhstan for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where Belarus is expected to be admitted as a member. This move is part of a broader strategy by Moscow and Beijing to use the regional security bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions and promote alternative world order options.
The SCO leaders summit in Astana will provide an opportunity for Putin to showcase Russia’s international engagement amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The agenda for the summit includes discussions on counterterrorism, security in Afghanistan, and a new investment fund proposed by Kazakhstan.
The SCO, founded in 2001, has evolved over the years to address regional security and economic development issues. With the addition of India, Pakistan, Iran, and now Belarus as members, the organization’s influence has grown significantly.
The relationship between China and Russia has shaped the SCO’s development, with both countries increasingly using the organization to further their cooperation and push back against Western influence. While the SCO remains heavy on symbolism, experts note that it lacks substantial results and a clear mandate.
In addition to the official summit agenda, the SCO provides a platform for leaders to engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions. Xi and Putin will have a one-on-one meeting during the summit, underscoring the importance of their relationship in shaping the organization’s future.
While India’s absence from this year’s summit signals growing disinterest in the SCO, analysts suggest that this could limit the bloc’s potential and China’s aspirations for its role in the region. Tensions between India and China, as well as India and Pakistan, are cited as factors contributing to New Delhi’s reluctance to engage with the organization.
As leaders gather in Astana for the summit, the discussions and outcomes will shed light on the evolving dynamics within the SCO and its role in shaping regional security and cooperation in the Eurasian region.
